Mineola board hears $114.42 million budget proposal and possible impacts if voters reject it

Will Herman, the district's assistant superintendent, presented the Mineola Union Free School District's proposed $114,419,374 budget for the 2026-27 school year at the board's May 7 budget hearing and urged the community to vote on May 19.

"The big takeaway here is that the proposed budget for next year is $114,419,374, which is a $2,200,000 or 1.98% increase from the current year," Herman said during the presentation. He said about 78.6% of the budget is devoted to salaries and benefits, with salaries projected to rise by about $940,000 and health benefits by roughly $1.2 million.

Herman walked through expense categories and drivers, including a roughly $1.1 million increase allocated to security staffing so all buildings have dedicated guards during the school day and after-school events and the addition of a security supervisor to manage district security operations. He described purchase services (third-party contracts) as another key driver, with insurance projected to increase by about $313,000 and a modest projected reduction in utilities of about $200,000 based on recent budgeting patterns.

The presentation also covered capital needs and bus replacements. Herman said the district typically replaces about five buses a year and plans to buy six vehicles next year (four large buses and two wheelchair-capable smaller buses). He noted a fleet electrification study that estimated $18'$24 million over six to eight years to convert roughly 50 district vehicles to electric, including charging infrastructure, if the district pursues full electrification.

Herman explained the revenue assumptions: the proposed tax levy increase is about 2.36% (close to Nassau County averages), state aid figures are not finalized pending a delayed state budget, and payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOTs) are projected to increase by about $200,000. He said that if the state aid figure increases after the governor and legislature finalize the budget, the district would use less of its appropriated fund balance.

Herman outlined the district's contingency plan if the budget fails at the vote: the board could hold a second vote or adopt a contingent budget that would force a 0% levy increase and require removal of certain items (new equipment, salary increases for nonunion employees and nonessential capital items), producing an estimated $2.1 million revenue shortfall the district would need to close through cuts. He warned that a contingent budget typically leads to reduced extracurricular offerings and deferred maintenance and could reduce the district's future borrowing capacity.

Teacher and longtime district staff member Mike Fury spoke during public comment in support of the budget. "I stand before you in support of this budget," he said, adding that passing the budget would keep programs and initiatives in place that he called "the lifeblood of the school district."

What happens next: the budget vote is scheduled for May 19. If the budget passes, the district will implement the plan as proposed; if it fails, the board must choose whether to put a revised budget up for a second vote or adopt a contingent budget and identify reductions.

Sources: Budget presentation and public comment at the Mineola Union Free School District board meeting, May 7, 2026; Will Herman, assistant superintendent; Mike Fury, high-school English teacher.