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Mount Sinai board presents $73.66 million 2026–27 budget; tax levy to rise about $350,000
Summary
The Mount Sinai Union Free School District board presented a proposed $73,656,764 budget for 2026–27 on May 12, noting a $2.9 million (4.13%) increase driven mostly by higher debt service; the proposal would raise the tax levy by roughly $350,000 and moves to a public vote May 19.
The Mount Sinai Union Free School District board on May 12 presented a proposed $73,656,764 budget for the 2026–27 school year and set a public vote for May 19 at the high school.
Superintendent Dr. Christianion introduced the budget hearing and turned the presentation over to Dr. Bransome, who said the proposal represents a $2.9 million, or about 4.13 percent, increase from the last budget vote. "If you look at our debt service ... we're increasing by over $3 million in debt service alone," Dr. Bransome told the board, adding that the debt-service rise follows the district's recent capital borrowing. He said overall operations are effectively flat or modestly decreasing, and that state aid will partially offset future debt-service costs.
Dr. Bransome outlined the tax impact: the district's proposed tax levy would increase by about $350,000, which he estimated equates to roughly $80 a year for the average assessed home in the district (about $7 per month). He told the board the district's current tax levy is roughly $48.3 million and the proposed levy would be about $48.7 million.
The superintendent and business staff also described contingency steps if voters reject the budget: the district can submit a revised budget or, after a second failure, adopt a contingency budget that would eliminate non‑mandated high school courses, reduce curriculum and staff development, cut equipment and classroom supplies, and scale back some co‑curricular and extracurricular supports.
Dr. Bransome highlighted two ballot propositions that will appear with the budget vote: a library proposition of $1,973,167 and a new historical society museum proposition for which Mount Sinai's share would be $107,126 if approved. He encouraged community members to review posted materials and noted the district has added bond and project-status updates to its website.
The board did not take a final vote on the budget at the meeting; the budget is scheduled for the May 19 vote at the high school. The meeting transcript showed no public questions about the budget during the May 12 session.
