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Port Washington board previews $205M 2026–27 budget, three propositions set for May 19 ballot
Summary
Administration presented an approximately $205 million 2026–27 budget that stays within the state tax‑levy cap and three propositions for the May 19 ballot. Trustees were briefed on projected revenues, capital transfers and contingency impacts if voters reject the budget.
The Port Washington Union Free School District on May 5 presented a proposed 2026–27 budget of approximately $205,000,000 and explained three propositions voters will see on the May 19 ballot.
Superintendent Dr. Posse and business-office staff described the budget as fiscally sound and within the state tax‑levy cap. Administrators said state budget negotiations remain unsettled and that the district's state aid projections reflect the governor's proposal; any additional enacted foundation aid would represent unbudgeted revenue.
Key figures presented included a tax‑levy figure cited in presentation slides as approximately $172,440,274 and an overall appropriation shown as about $205,000,008.24. The presentation referenced both a 3.25% and a 3.43% change in different slides/comments; administrators attributed variation to different slide rounding and budget-change calculations and committed to clarifying the final levy number in board materials before the vote.
The board-reviewed investments included staffing (about 74–73% of the budget), addition of roughly 5.6 teaching positions (instructional coaches, a music teacher, business teacher, special education teacher, adaptive PE, additional elementary math AIS), creation of a director of mathematics/business/computer science, continued phonics and math program implementation, and expanded course offerings at the secondary level.
Facilities and capital priorities presented included HVAC and air‑conditioning upgrades, lighting, flooring and door improvements, perimeter fencing and secure entry improvements, a Guggenheim flooring and abatement project, South Salem roof completion, and a Manor Haven retaining wall. Administrators described a $4,400,000 transfer to capital (including Guggenheim flooring/abatement), $1,700,000 for Daley roof/masonry/HVAC work, and $2,500,000 for Manor Haven retaining wall.
Three propositions will appear on the ballot: Proposition 1 is the adoption of the 2026–27 school district budget; Proposition 2 would fund a repair reserve to address unanticipated nonrecurring repairs using existing fund balance (no tax impact); Proposition 3 would authorize use of funds in the district's capital reserve for electrical and HVAC upgrades across the district (also funded from reserves without additional tax impact). Administrators emphasized that Propositions 2 and 3 would not increase taxes because they would use existing reserves but require voter approval to access designated funds.
In the Q&A, administration explained options if the budget is rejected: revote the same budget, present a revised budget, or move to a contingency budget. A contingency budget would require removing approximately $5.6 million from planned spending and would prohibit certain transfers to capital, with significant impacts on programs and staffing. The board scheduled further discussion and asked administration to circulate clarifying budget materials and to present updated levy numbers prior to May 19.
The district also reported enrollment declines: total K–12 enrollment was reported at 5,082 compared with 5,262 the previous year (a decline of 180), and the in‑process kindergarten count was about 368 with 309 enrolled to date; administrators said they will continue to update the board as registrations proceed.
The public hearing portion closed after questions and the board resumed regular business.
