Seaford Union Free School District proposes $86.3 million budget with 2.26% levy increase

The Seaford Union Free School District presented its proposed 2026–27 spending plan, a $86,302,965 budget that district business official Ms. Messeroll said represents a 1.42% budget‑to‑budget increase and a 2.26% tax levy increase of $1,390,943.

“This proposed budget stands at 86,302,965,” Ms. Messeroll said during the hearing, adding the tax levy change equals $1,390,943. She described the increase as the district’s lowest levy rise in five years while emphasizing the goal of preserving programs and remaining sensitive to taxpayers.

The presentation framed spending around academic priorities described earlier by Dr. Pecora: strengthening the Seaford Scholars program, expanding project‑based and college‑level course offerings, bolstering wellness and social‑emotional programming (including RULER and Lion Quest) and continuing robust professional development for staff.

On revenue, Ms. Messeroll said property taxes remain the district’s largest revenue source and noted state aid of $18,948,003.24 per the executive budget with a small adjustment from the State Education Department. The administration also described appropriations from targeted reserves used to balance the budget.

On the spending side, Ms. Messeroll said instruction is the largest component of expenditures (the presentation grouped program/instructional costs at about 79.7% of the program budget). She also reviewed transportation costs (regular, athletics and special‑education runs), employee benefit obligations tied to retirement systems, and debt service that includes tax‑anticipation borrowing and related interest costs.

The proposal includes $920,000 in interfund transfers toward three capital projects: renovation of middle‑school bathrooms, completion of gym window replacements at the middle school, and creation of exterior classroom access at the high school using recently excavated/ drained space, the business official said.

Ms. Messeroll also walked through voter logistics: the budget vote and trustee election are scheduled for May 19 (polls at The Manor and The Harbor, 7 a.m.–9 p.m.). Residents 18 and older who are registered in Seaford can vote; absentee‑ballot applications are available from district clerk Carmen Millette. The district will post the budget book and required notices online and in print (in both English and Spanish) ahead of the vote.

Board members thanked administrators for the budget work and moved through routine consent agenda items later in the meeting; multiple agenda blocks were moved and approved with unanimous 'Aye' votes. No formal board adoption of the budget took place at this hearing; the formal public vote takes place on May 19.

What’s next: the district will finalize printed budget materials and continue public outreach ahead of the May 19 vote. The business office encouraged residents with registration or absentee‑ballot questions to contact the district clerk.