East Rockaway presents $49.24 million 2026–27 budget, seeks $1.6M capital reserve authorization

Superintendent Guzman outlined highlights of the East Rockaway School District’s proposed 2026–27 budget, describing it as fiscally responsible and under the state tax-cap while adding staff and program investments.

The district’s detailed budget presentation, delivered by Van Ward, proposes a $49,240,000 spending plan — a $2.2 million, or 4.84 percent, increase year over year — with the public vote set for May 19, 2026. Van Ward said the district’s expenditure budget is presented in three components (administrative, program and capital) and that building aid is expected to offset much of the debt-service costs coming on to the books this year.

The budget keeps the tax‑levy increase below the cap, at a projected 2.64 percent. Van Ward estimated that the average Class 1 residential homeowner in East Rockaway would face about a $232 annual tax increase (approximately $19.33 per month), while noting final calculations from the Nassau County assessor will be available in September.

The board will also ask voters to authorize the use of up to $1.6 million from the district’s capital reserve to fund specific projects, Van Ward said. He outlined planned work that would be eligible under the proposition: a middle‑school roof replacement (the roof is more than 30 years old), exterior fascia work tied to completion of the high‑school cupola project, and HVAC upgrades in the junior/senior high athletic wing. Van Ward emphasized that the capital‑reserve proposition would not affect the 2026–27 tax levy because it uses previously accumulated district savings.

Budget drivers cited by Van Ward include increases in insurance premiums, salary and fringe benefits, additional special‑education teachers, transportation cost increases, and debt service from recent bond and energy‑performance work. To reduce levy pressure, the presentation proposed appropriating $800,000 from the unassigned fund balance and $852,000 from the ERS reserve; Van Ward described the ERS reserve as the healthiest of the district’s reserves and said any unused monies would return to the reserve.

Superintendent Guzman highlighted programmatic investments funded in the proposal: two additional special‑education staff (one elementary, one secondary), adoption of the Eureka Math curriculum to replace a decade‑old program, Chromebook refreshes aligned with warranties, new instruments for the music program, and a conversion of an art darkroom into a digital photography studio. Guzman also discussed expanded family engagement nights and cooperative athletic arrangements with neighboring districts to sustain programs while sharing costs.

On statutory changes, Van Ward described recent amendments to real property tax law that create or expand exemptions: a full exemption for veterans with a 100 percent service‑connected disability (pending a board resolution to implement), a new partial exemption for surviving spouses of police officers, volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers (up to 50 percent), and an expansion of the senior exemption up to 65 percent of assessed value. When a board member asked whether the veterans’ 100 percent exemption required a disability connected to service, Van Ward confirmed the exemption is limited to service‑connected disabilities.

Van Ward said staff will prepare a presentation and a community hearing on proposed exemptions and tax impacts; he reminded the public that polls will be open at the high school from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on election day. After questions, the board moved into executive session to discuss contract negotiations.

The district identified the budget vote and trustee election for May 19, 2026, as the next formal step. No formal budget vote occurred at this meeting; the public hearing portion concluded and the board adjourned into executive session.