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Westbury district projects $9.2M budget gap; board weighs 2–2.5% levy instead of larger tax hike
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Chase and budget presenter Rob Stein told the Westbury Union Free School District board that rising costs — including $5.9M in salary/benefits and $2.5M in tuition — create an approximate $9.2M expense increase for 2026–27. The board signaled a preference for a 2–2.5% tax levy increase but may use limited reserves or ask voters for a larger rate if savings are not identified.
The Westbury Union Free School District on March 17 laid out options to close roughly a $9.2 million increase in expenses for the 2026–27 budget, and the board signaled a preference for a modest tax‑levy increase rather than a larger one.
Superintendent Dr. Chase and budget presenter Rob Stein told the board the district is facing rising costs that include salary and benefit increases of about $5.9 million, tuition costs of roughly $2.5 million and special‑education contractual expenses of about $1.2 million, along with higher transportation, insurance and BOCES charges. Stein said the district’s 2026 projected budget would be about $210 million if all expense increases are fully covered.
The administration outlined two revenue approaches. The first would cover the gap using anticipated state and federal aid increases (+$3.6 million), $2.1 million from the unappropriated fund balance and a tax increase of about 4.3 percent. The second option would use the same state/federal aid and $2.1 million from fund balance while also drawing $1.4 million from reserves, which the administration said would lower the required tax increase to roughly 2.5 percent.
Board members emphasized reluctance to draw down reserves that were built up for unexpected shocks. The superintendent said the administration will continue to pursue savings and asked the board to allow staff to work through budget revisions through March 30 before finalizing recommendations. "We are continuing to meet with our school board and to engage in robust conversations," Dr. Chase said, urging public input and transparency.
Stein noted the district has benefited from increased foundation aid in recent years but warned that the combination of falling enrollment and rising costs limits the ability to hold the tax rate flat. Administrators reported enrollment has declined by 574 students, roughly a 12.31 percent drop, and cautioned lower enrollment could reduce state aid in future years.
Key dates provided at the meeting: the board anticipates adopting a budget on April 14, a budget hearing on May 5 and the budget vote and school board election on May 19, 2026. The administration also established budget@westburyschools.org to gather public questions and said it will publish FAQs and the presentation materials on the district website.
What’s next: administrators will return with revised budget options after March 30, and the board is expected to vote on adoption in mid‑April before the public vote in May.
