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Hauppauge superintendent previews budget, flags 3.72% tax-levy change and higher UPK cap ahead of May vote
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Murphy presented a preliminary budget overview March 17, 2026, citing a projected 3.72% tax-levy change, healthy reserves and a reported state UPK cap increase to $10,000 per pupil; the board set a deeper revenue review for two weeks and the budget hearing ahead of the May vote.
Dr. Murphy, superintendent of the Hauppauge Union Free School District, presented a high-level budget overview at the March 17 board meeting and said the district anticipates a tax-levy change of roughly 3.72% while continuing to rely on reserves and fund balance to mitigate taxpayer impact.
The district framed the presentation with its board-adopted mission and Eagle values, and Dr. Murphy said the administration will drill into revenues in a detailed workshop two weeks from the meeting before the formal budget hearing. "Consistently with this board of ed, we're not piercing the cap," Dr. Murphy said, explaining the levy-limit calculation uses a growth factor and a CPI-or-2% rule.
Why it matters: the tax-levy figure drives the district's contribution from local taxpayers and determines how much the district can spend without exceeding New York's levy limits. Dr. Murphy listed revenue categories including PILOT payments, building rentals, tuition, state aid and miscellaneous recoveries, and noted the district appropriates reserves annually to smooth tax impacts and maintain its credit rating.
State early-childhood funding was a focal point: Dr. Murphy said Albany has reportedly increased the UPK cap per student to $10,000 from about $5,400, but cautioned there are implementation details the district must still review before relying on the full amount. "We are hoping that that 10,000 really does allow us to fund our UP classrooms," he said, but added there is "devil in the details" in how the state will allocate and reimburse districts.
Board members asked operational questions tied to the budget. A board member raised concerns about rising fuel prices and the district's bus contract; Dr. Murphy said the district will consult Suffolk Transportation and report back to the board on potential cost impacts.
Next steps: the board will hold a focused revenue deep dive in two weeks, advance to the budget hearing later in the schedule and hold the district's annual budget vote in May.
All budget figures and timelines above are taken from the district presentation and board discussion at the March 17, 2026 meeting; the board did not adopt a final budget at the March 17 session.
