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Port Washington voters approve 2026–27 school budget and facilities propositions; board announces trustee vote totals
Summary
Voters in the Port Washington Union Free School District overwhelmingly approved the 2026–27 school budget and three propositions on May 19, 2026; the district announced trustee vote totals for Julie Epstein and Rachel Gillar and the board certified the results and approved related budget transfers.
Port Washington Union Free School District officials announced on May 19, 2026, that district voters approved the 2026–27 school budget and three related propositions by wide margins and the board certified the vote and approved routine budget transfers.
The district clerk read the public totals: Proposition 1, the 2026–27 budget, passed with 1,541 yes votes and 369 no votes (80.7%); Proposition 2, to fund the repair reserve, passed with 1,525 yes and 276 no (84.7%); and Proposition 3, authorizing expenditures from the facilities improvement program for districtwide repairs and electrical and HVAC upgrades, passed with 1,548 yes and 240 no (86.6%).
The district also announced trustee vote counts. Port Washington UFSD Board of Education member Julie Epstein received 1,550 votes; Rachel Gillar received 1,478 votes and there were 33 write-in votes. After the results were read, board leadership thanked the community for its support of the budget and propositions.
At the meeting the board moved to certify the budget and trustee election results and voted to approve them. The board also approved the budget transfers listed under agenda item 5.2. Both motions were seconded and carried by unanimous voice vote (recorded as 7–0).
A community member, Mr. Green, spoke during public comment to congratulate the newly re-elected trustees and to express concern about low voter turnout despite the large margins of approval. “Running unopposed actually says a lot about what the community thinks and overwhelming support and the fact that low voter turnout,” he said during his remarks.
The board concluded by moving to adjourn. Trustees announced the next meeting is scheduled for June 16, when the board will convene at 6:30 p.m., recess into executive session, and return to public session at 7:30 p.m.
Votes at a glance: • Proposition 1 — 2026–27 budget: 1,541 yes; 369 no (80.7%) — approved. • Proposition 2 — Repair reserve funding: 1,525 yes; 276 no (84.7%) — approved. • Proposition 3 — Facilities improvement expenditures (electrical/HVAC): 1,548 yes; 240 no (86.6%) — approved. • Board of Education trustee tallies announced: Julie Epstein 1,550 votes; Rachel Gillar 1,478 votes; 33 write-ins.
No additional budgetary or policy changes were adopted at the meeting beyond certification of the vote and approval of the listed transfers.
