Patchogue-Medford board adopts $252.2 million budget, places $5 million capital-reserve proposition on May 19 ballot

The Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District Board of Education on Tuesday approved a proposed $252.2 million general fund budget for fiscal 2026–27 and voted to place a separate $5 million capital-reserve proposition on the May 19, 2026 ballot.

Frank, the presenter for the budget workshop, told the board the proposal focuses on staffing and benefits — the largest dollar drivers — and preserves academic programs while adding limited positions. "It maintains all academic programs. We're not cutting programs," Frank said during the presentation, noting the plan includes one new account-clerk FTE split between payroll and accounting, a maintenance mechanic (Maintenance Mechanic 3) to expand in-house facilities work, and a 0.5 FTE reduction tied to a recent retirement.

Frank outlined the budget's main cost drivers: approximately $573,000 in higher ERS contributions (more than a 10% increase), a projected $951,000 reduction from a lower TRS employer rate, an increase of roughly $200,000 on the Social Security line due to a 4.77% federal wage-cap change, and health-insurance cost increases the district estimates will add just over $3 million (about a 9.7% average increase).

The proposed budget package includes a $2.5 million interfund transfer to capital (a $500,000 increase from the prior plan) intended to fund bathroom and septic upgrades, asbestos abatement and remediation, and other work identified in the district's Building Condition Survey. Frank said some parking-lot work would need to be paired with interior projects to capture full building aid.

On debt-service, the presentation noted a $500,000 increase tied to the first principal installment of the district's bond borrowing; the presenter referenced a total planned borrowing of $85 million for the bond program. Frank said the initial borrowing will increase the debt-service line in year one but that overlap-year impacts may be less than originally anticipated.

Frank described the district's revenue assumptions as largely based on the governor's executive proposal for state aid and a levy-to-levy tax-levy increase of 3.15% (he emphasized the budget does not pierce the district's tax cap). Using an example assessed value from the town of Brookhaven, he said the projected impact for an average home would be about $285 for the year under a no-decline scenario in assessed value. He also reviewed the contingent (zero-levy) budget scenario, which would require about $4.2 million in cuts, removal of equipment purchases and the $2.5 million interfund transfer, elimination of the proposed new positions and several administrative and clerical posts, and reductions to supplies and travel.

Trustees asked for outreach materials explaining the capital-reserve fund and examples of how the district has used it in prior years; Frank agreed to include that history on the roadshow and the website. The district also scheduled administrative deadlines and public events: the property-tax report card must be transmitted by April 27, the budget brochure will mail April 30, a budget hearing is set for May 7 and the budget vote and Board of Education election is May 19.

Votes at a glance: The board adopted the general fund budget as read in the resolution presented to the board (motion moved by Frank, seconded by a trustee). The transcript records the motion being approved by voice vote; the chair declared the motion carried. The board also approved placing Proposition 2 on the May 19 ballot to authorize up to $5,000,000 to be expended from the capital-reserve fund for parking-lot and bathroom upgrades and other listed building-condition survey projects; that motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

The presenter stressed the budget remains focused on limiting new recurring expenditures while addressing building needs: the proposal preserves the Raider Academy program, avoids staff excessing and aims to bring more work in-house to control costs. The board adjourned at 9:10 p.m.