Westbury school board adopts $209.8 million budget, sets 2.3% tax levy increase

The Westbury Union Free School District Board of Education on April 14 voted unanimously to adopt a $209.8 million budget for the 2026-27 school year, approving a 2.3% increase in the school tax levy.

The vote followed the board's fourth public budget presentation of the season, during which district leaders summarized major cost drivers and spending reductions. Vice President Floyd Ewing moved to adopt the budget; Trustee Dr. Pless Dickerson seconded the motion and the roll-call vote was 6-0 in favor.

Why it matters: Board and administration officials said the plan preserves core academic, arts and athletic programs while absorbing higher personnel and contractual costs. Dr. Chase, the district's presenter, said the proposed spending "does maintain our academic, our athletic, and our arts programs," and described the budget as balanced against tax-cap constraints.

What the presentation said: Administration reported a budget-to-budget increase of about 4.21%. The district attributed the main increases to salaries and benefits (+$5.9 million), higher tuition payments for charter and private placements (+$2.5 million), and special-education contractual costs (+$1.2 million for OT, PT and nursing services). Transportation costs rose roughly $334,000 and BOCES services increased by about $309,000. Insurances for liability and student accident coverage were cited as up about $133,000.

To offset some pressures, district staff said they expect a net savings of $1.8 million from retirements and reported several expense reductions, including a $142,000 cut in Saturday Academy operating costs and a $581,000 reduction in planned capital projects. The board's presentation also lists planned additions such as elementary decodable classroom libraries (approximately $360,000) and $512,000 in additional security measures. Administration said the budget increases the planned draw on reserves by just under $3 million.

Tax levy and timeline: Dr. Chase told the board the presentation reduced a prior proposed levy increase from 2.45% to 2.30 after additional adjustments. If voters do not change the plan, the district will post the detailed budget online and hold the public budget hearing on May 5; the budget vote is scheduled for May 19, when the community will also elect a school-board candidate.

Formal actions: The board adopted the budget by roll-call vote (Trustees Flores, Wilson, Bowling, Dr. Dickerson, Vice President Ewing and President Robert Troiano voted "I"). Immediately afterward the board unanimously adopted the district's property tax report card for 2026-27 following a separate motion by Trustee Robin Bowling, seconded by Trustee Michelle Wilson.

Administration's next steps: Officials said the detailed budget will be posted online and questions can be emailed to budget@westburyschools.org; the district plans to publish an FAQ responding publicly to questions about the plan.

What the board said: President Robert Troiano thanked staff for keeping the increase under the tax cap and highlighted district priorities that the budget is intended to support. "We are committed to the triple A," Dr. Chase said, referring to academics, arts and athletics, "while also being fiscally responsible."

Bottom line: The board approved a budget that preserves programs the administration identified as priorities while using reserves and program reductions to limit the tax levy to 2.3%. The plan now heads to the May 19 voter referendum.