Southampton board previewed $84M budget and proposed use of reserves to limit tax impact

The Southampton Union Free School District administration presented a proposed 2026–27 budget at the March meeting, saying the plan would limit tax-levy growth and draw on reserves for specific projects. Assistant superintendent for business described the budget total as $84,000,005.36 and said the proposal ‘‘decreases the tax levy by 2% from what we paid last year.’’

The presentation outlined projected taxpayer impacts and an example calculation for homes at several assessed values. The administration emphasized that the district’s tax levy — which finances roughly 79% of the budget, as presented — drives most of the school portion of a property tax bill, and noted that other municipal and county charges affect the final bill. The assistant superintendent explained that the proposal would change the tax rate by only a few cents per $1,000 of assessed value in the examples shown.

Administrative detail: the presentation identified two capital-reserve uses the district plans to ask voters to authorize. One was an allocation of approximately $2,700,000 from an existing 10-year capital reserve for projects including roofing replacement at the high school, installation of an exterior walk-in refrigeration unit and kitchen rebuild at the elementary school, a 100-gallon water heater, and other building repairs. The second proposed reserve would make $400,000 available for classroom and instructional technology (smart panels, Chromebooks, printers and related equipment).

Board members praised the administration’s work to limit levy growth and asked questions about comparative tax bills and the mechanics of reserves. Administration clarified that money already placed in a capital reserve has no direct impact on the current year’s tax levy; spending from those reserves is separate from the operating levy. The board was told the proposed tax levy figure presented is subject to change until the board adopts the budget formally.

At the meeting the board also approved several consent and financial items that will appear on the budget calendar, including a motion to authorize the district to submit propositions to voters related to partnerships with local museums and youth groups. The board approved by roll call several consent resolutions and later voted to appropriate up to $480,000 from the district repair reserve for immediate capital repairs (boiler and furnace replacements, refrigeration unit, gym sound-system upgrades, scoreboards, fountain replacements, alarm panel repairs and other district facilities work).

What’s next: administration said it will bring the final budget for adoption at an upcoming work session on March 24, 2026, and that some figures may be adjusted before formal adoption.