Connetquot board adopts 50% property-tax exemption for surviving spouses of police officers

At an emergency meeting on March 2, the Connetquot Central School District Board of Education approved Property Tax Law Resolution 471 to offer a property-tax exemption of up to 50% of assessed value for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty, effective for taxable status dates on or after Jan. 1, 2026 and therefore the 2026–27 tax bill.

Assistant Superintendent Mr. Hower summarized a recent amendment to the New York State Real Property Tax Law permitting local legislative bodies — including school districts — to adopt such exemptions. "There are four new property tax exemptions," he told the board, and said the district would consider only the police‑spouse exemption that evening. He emphasized that the veterans' exemption discussed in the packet is applied automatically by the state and does not require district action.

Board members pressed administration officials over the rushed timeline and a lack of detail. Several trustees said they had only learned of the change late and questioned the Town of Islip's notification process; Mr. Hower said the town had received late notice from the state and that the town's vote created a narrow window to match the town's 50% standard. The board heard that adopting the resolution tonight would affect the 2026–27 tax roll and would not be applied retroactively.

Trustees also sought an estimate of how many households would qualify under the new exemption; Mr. Hower said the district did not have an estimate available at the meeting. Board members noted that the exemption transfers any tax revenue loss from the exemption to the remaining tax base in the district.

After discussion, the board moved and seconded Resolution 471. One board member announced an abstention; the motion passed. The transcript does not record a complete roll-call tally or the names tied to each individual vote.

The board voted to table two related items: Resolution 466A (surviving spouses of volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers), which requires a public hearing, and Resolution 467 (expanded exemptions for senior citizens), which the board said needs additional information from the town before action.

The meeting closed with the president thanking members and adjournment. The district said it will seek further clarification from the town on implementation details, eligibility rules (including remarriage provisions), and any counts or fiscal estimates before pursuing additional exemption changes.