Oceanside presents $192.4M budget with 2.28% tax-levy proposal; library and capital reserve on May 19 ballot

The Oceanside Union Free School District presented its 2026–27 budget at a May 6 hearing, telling the public the district plans $192,419,398 in general fund operating expenditures (a 3.06% year-to-year increase) and a proposed tax-levy increase of 2.28. Voters will decide the budget and two related propositions on May 19.

Business Administrator Samantha Sakor outlined the district's budget process and component breakdown, saying 76.7% of expenditures fall in the program component, about 12.8% in capital and 10.5% in administration. Sakor said the budget development work began in October and has included line-by-line reviews at public workshops.

Dr. Kley described the district's revenue mix (local revenue sources, state aid, and the tax levy) and listed the three ballot propositions: (1) the total expenditure budget requiring a simple majority to pass, (2) a capital reserve-funded high-school project, and (3) the Oceanside Library budget. He said the tax-levy increase is proposed at 2.28% and reminded the public that if a budget fails twice the district must adopt a contingency budget.

On capital work, the administration described a high-school project with a total cost "a little over $5.7 million" to be paid entirely from existing capital reserve funds so there would be no immediate tax impact; the district said it expects a 41% building aid ratio that will provide reimbursement in later years.

Chris Mara, director of Oceanside Library, presented the library's activity figures and said the library proposal will raise about $12 per household (about $1 per month) while remaining under the New York State tax cap. Mara reported program metrics including circulation and daily visitors and said the library continues to roll out new services.

Student and community voices were part of the hearing. Student council leaders from School 4 described fundraising (a "Shamrock" pin project that raised $1,000 and a walkathon that raised $5,000 for autism-related causes) and board member Brian Rusco and student speakers urged turnout for the May 19 vote.

District leaders also flagged assessment participation as a concern. Dr. Harrington said refusal rates for state assessments have declined overall but remain high in some grades: the transcript records a district mathematics refusal rate of about 19.23% and an ELA refusal rate of about 21.74%, and he noted an eighth-grade ELA refusal rate near 42%.

Key practical details

- Budget total: $192,419,398 (3.06% increase over prior year) - Proposed tax-levy increase: 2.28% - Proposed capital reserve project: about $5.7 million, funded from reserves (no immediate tax impact); district building aid ratio cited at 41% - Library proposition: increase of approximately $12 per household - Budget vote: May 19, at School 6 gym (Merl Avenue), polling hours 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Votes at a glance (selected)

- Budget propositions (to appear on May 19 ballot): not voted by board tonight; presented for public hearing. - Short-term TAN resolution (2026–27): motion approved by board during meeting. - Independent consultant agreement (Dr. D. Rosa): motion approved. - Bid award for locksmith services to Suffach Lock and Security Professionals: motion approved.

What happens next

The budget and library propositions will appear on the May 19 ballot; the district urged voter turnout and reminded residents that a budget defeat after two votes triggers a contingency budget with required program reductions.