Massapequa board adopts $254.67 million budget, sets May 19 vote with 3.9% levy increase

The Massapequa Union Free School District board voted to adopt a $254,669,633 budget for the 2026‑27 school year and approved accompanying resolutions that will appear on the May 19 ballot, Superintendent staff said during the board’s May meeting.

Mr. Ruff, presenting the budget, said the administration is proposing a tax‑levy increase of 3.9 percent — below the district’s 4.5 percent levy limit — to cover rising debt service, health‑insurance and special‑education costs. "We have maintained programs, increased a transfer to capital, and structured the budget to preserve the district’s fiscal strength," he said.

Why it matters: the board must adopt a budget before voters see it. The district projects the proposed levy would raise an average homeowner’s school tax bill by about $385; the full budget and three ballot propositions will be decided by voters on May 19.

Details and context: Mr. Ruff identified the primary budget drivers: added debt‑service payments tied to ongoing infrastructure work (he cited a $4.5 million increase in the debt‑service line), higher health‑insurance costs and growth in special‑education related services. The administration also proposed a $4 million draw from an existing capital reserve (Proposition 3) to fund security upgrades, science classroom work, audiovisual upgrades in auditoriums, broadcast‑studio equipment and stadium improvements, which the administration said would not increase taxes because the reserve funds were previously saved.

Board procedure and vote: The board read multiple required resolutions — scheduling the district election and setting publication dates, appointing Carrie Walker as permanent chair of the election under Education Law §2025, and approving the capital‑reserve language — and then adopted the budget in the aggregate amount of $254,669,633. Motions were moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote as recorded in the meeting transcript; the transcript does not include a roll‑call tally.

Next steps: The budget, public library proposition and capital‑reserve proposition will appear on the May 19 ballot. The administration said it will continue community outreach (PTA presentations and a short informational video) in the run‑up to the vote.

What the board said: Mr. Ruff noted the administration kept the levy under the allowed maximum and emphasized transparency and multi‑year planning. "We've gone line by line and started this process months ago," he said, inviting residents to call with questions.

Open items: The transcript records voice approval of motions but does not include individual roll‑call votes or a recorded yes/no tally by name; the district said additional information is available through its budget documents and website.