Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Malverne Union Free School District proposes 1.54% budget increase, 2.29% tax-levy rise; vote set for May 19
Summary
Assistant Superintendent for Business Chris Caputo presented a proposed 2026-27 budget with a 1.54% overall increase and a 2.29% tax-levy rise ($50.9 million); the budget hearing closed and the district scheduled a vote for May 19, 2026. Administrators cited higher transportation costs and charter-school tuition as drivers of some line-item increases.
Assistant Superintendent for Business Chris Caputo told the Malverne Union Free School District Board of Education that the proposed 2026-27 preK–12 budget would increase 1.54% overall while the district's tax levy would rise 2.29% to $50,900,000.
Caputo said projected revenue categories for 2026-27 include just over $1.5 million in district-generated revenue, a planned use of fund balance and reserves of just over $1.6 million, and state aid of $20,900,000. He said instruction accounts for about 80% of expenditures, general support about 10%, transportation about 8% and debt service about 3.5%. The three-part budget totals he cited were roughly $9,000,000 for capital, $7,900,000 for administration and about $58,000,000 for programs.
Caputo noted the district is proposing to increase the tax levy by the allowable amount under the New York State tax-cap levy formula. He described post-vote options if voters reject Proposition 1 on May 19: the board could resubmit the same budget in June, offer a revised budget in June, or adopt a contingent budget that would require removing roughly $1,100,000 from the proposed spending plan.
During public input read from the online portal, residents asked why salary and equipment line items appear reduced while transportation and charter-school tuition lines rise. Administrators said charter enrollment had grown (from about 14 charter students earlier in the current year to 21 by the end, with projections near 23 for 2026-27) and that transportation costs have increased across Long Island, including restoration of field trips after the COVID years and higher contract rates for bus companies.
An online question also asked for details about the termination of Principal Eric Walter; district officials said they could not discuss personnel matters in public on the advice of counsel and declined to provide further specifics.
The budget hearing closed after Caputo's presentation. The district placed Proposition 1 on the ballot for the May 19, 2026 vote, scheduled 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Herber Auditorium; administrators urged residents with questions to contact central office.
