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East Hampton board presents 2026–27 budget, three bond propositions including pool and indoor athletic facility
Summary
The East Hampton Union Free School District presented a tax-cap–compliant 2026–27 budget that preserves all current academic programs and asks voters to consider three bond propositions: capital improvements ($63,964,974), an indoor pool ($45,680,000) and an indoor athletic facility with turf ($18,535,000).
The East Hampton Union Free School District on Monday presented a 2026–27 budget the district says preserves all existing academic programs and stays within the statutory tax cap, while asking voters to consider three bond propositions for capital projects and new athletic facilities.
District administrators told the board the operating budget is “cap compliant,” and they highlighted that the budget sets aside funds for maintenance projects including a middle-school boiler replacement. Sam (speaker 6), who summarized line-by-line budget items, said the district expects to bring in more than $1,300,000 next year through shared-services partnerships with neighboring districts and noted transportation and fuel costs are driving some expenditure increases. He added that state aid remains uncertain until the legislature finalizes the statewide budget.
The bond package contains three separate propositions. Proposition 1, described by the presenter as a capital-improvement bond totaling $63,964,974, was framed as replacement of expiring debt and presented as having no net tax impact under the district’s financing plan. Proposition 2 would fund an indoor pool at the high school for $45,680,000; Proposition 3 would fund an indoor athletic space with a basketball court and indoor turf for $18,535,000. The presenter said Proposition 2 cannot be enacted unless Proposition 1 also passes, and Proposition 3 depends on Proposition 2.
Sam provided examples of homeowner impacts the administration used in public materials: he said the district’s example for the average assessed home showed Proposition 2 would raise an average-assessed homeowner’s taxes by about $200 per year and Proposition 3 about $82 per year. The district also posted renderings and a full, line-by-line budget binder online and in district offices for public review; absentee ballot applications and contact information were listed for voters with questions.
Board members opened and closed a public hearing on the budget and later approved the consent agenda and multiple personnel and contract items by voice vote. No formal vote on the bond propositions took place at the meeting; those measures are set for the public ballot. The board encouraged residents to review the online materials and contact the district office with questions about the budget or the propositions.
The district provided voter information and said absentee-ballot applications were available through the district clerk. The public vote on the budget and propositions is scheduled for later this month; full documentation is posted on the district website.
