Connetquot board presents roughly $230 million budget with 2.12% tax-levy increase; public voices concern over cuts and class sizes

The Connetquot Central School District presented its proposed 2026–27 expenditure budget — about $230.0 million — at a public hearing Tuesday evening, with a proposed tax-levy increase of 2.12%, the administration said. The district will hold the budget vote and board election on May 19.

The district’s superintendent, Joseph Semmoor, told attendees the budget emphasizes “student learning and the programs that promote it,” while also addressing mental-health supports, college- and career-readiness programs, the arts and STEM partnerships. Hauser, who presented the budget detail slides, said the district is working under state-budget uncertainty and is projecting a modest 1% increase in foundation aid in a best-case scenario (presenter cited roughly $363,914). Hauser described a contingency scenario that would freeze the levy and require about $3.08 million in…