Syosset board presents final 2026–27 budget with 2.19% tax‑levy increase

The Syosset Central School District on May 11 presented its final 2026–27 budget, which proposes a 2.19% tax‑levy increase — about $26,000 under the district’s calculated 2.2% tax cap — and a 3.74% budget‑to‑budget increase.

At the budget hearing, Dr. Rufol, associate superintendent for business, said the district’s program component accounts for roughly 77% of spending, capital about 13.4% and administrative costs about 9.7%. The presentation listed a projected state aid figure of roughly $39.4 million (about 12.85% of the budget) and a general fund tax levy of $237 million. The budget includes three additional buses (one full‑size, two smaller vehicles) for routes, athletics and field trips; the district estimates state reimbursement of about 41.5% and expects to reach break‑even on the purchase in roughly three years.

The district plans to use restricted reserves and appropriated fund balance to limit the levy impact and said the proposed budget preserves academic programs, clubs, athletics and student social‑emotional supports while advancing planned facilities work.

Board members asked how the new buses and state aid gains affect long‑term savings; Dr. Rufol confirmed the new buses are on long production lead times and that larger fleets could create steeper operational efficiencies over time. He said some state aid increases reflect building aid tied to ongoing capital projects.

Public commenter Brian Tvet pressed the board on a separate point: the district’s audited statement of net position showed a sizable negative net position driven largely by pension and other post‑employment benefit (OPEB) liabilities. Dr. Rogers answered that accounting under Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) rules now includes pension system assets and liabilities on district statements and that a district’s annual budget (revenues vs. expenditures) is a different measure than the statement of net position. “The budget is balanced because the revenues for this year and the expenses for this year are balanced,” Dr. Rogers said, while noting that GASB accounting records long‑term actuarial obligations that may not reflect cash flows controlled by the district.

The PTA council reported strong local support for the budget: Christa Harris, president of the Scio Council of PTAs, said 10 of 11 PTA units had voted to support the proposed budget; one unit had not yet held its vote.

The district reminded residents that the budget vote and school board election are scheduled for Tuesday, May 19. The hearing concluded with an invitation to review detailed budget materials posted on the district website and to attend the vote.