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Southampton district proposes $84.54 million budget; voters to decide May 19
Summary
The Southampton Union Free School District presented a $84,536,962 proposed budget for 2026–27 that would raise the tax levy modestly and place four propositions on the May 19 ballot, including the budget, a board election and withdrawals from reserve funds.
The Southampton Union Free School District’s administration presented a $84,536,962 budget proposal for the 2026–27 school year and urged residents to vote on May 19.
Jean, the district’s budget presenter, told the board the proposed budget is $84,536,962, a 2.8% year‑over‑year increase from the current year. The recommended tax levy for 2026–27 was listed as about $65,000,004.88; the administration said that translates to a projected tax‑rate increase of about 0.73%, approximately $41.05 for a home assessed at $2.6 million (final rates will depend on town assessments).
Why it matters: The budget supports school operations, staffing and programs and will determine the district’s tax levy for the coming year. Voter approval is required on Proposition 1, the budget itself.
Propositions on the ballot: Jean outlined four propositions that will appear to voters on May 19: Proposition 1 (the 2026–27 budget), Proposition 2 (a board of education election), Proposition 3 (authorization to use $2,700,000 from a 2017 capital reserve for projects), and Proposition 4 (authorization to use $400,000 from the technology reserve for equipment). The administration noted that use of reserves is intended to reduce pressure on the tax levy because those funds were set aside in prior years.
Tax‑levy context and reserves: The presenter said the district could have proposed a larger levy (a stated maximum of roughly $66,000,002.97) but chose a lower request, relying in part on reserves to limit year‑over‑year tax impact. The presentation included comparative figures from the current year and an explanation that final tax bills are subject to town assessment values later in the calendar year.
Next steps: Voter registration and absentee ballot applications are available; the district clerk will accept absentee and early ballot requests and the board listed polling hours for May 19 (10 a.m.–8 p.m., Intermediate School Music Room). The board held the budget hearing and encouraged voters to review supplemental budget materials posted on the district website.
The board did not take a final vote on the budget at this meeting; the budget will be decided by registered district voters on May 19.
