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East Islip board moves forward with proposed 2026–27 budget that relies on $7.3M in reserves and 1.86% tax levy increase
Summary
The East Islip Union Free School District presented and moved to adopt a $132.46 million budget for 2026–27 that would use $7.3 million from reserves and increase the tax levy by 1.86%; the board also explained contingent-budget reductions and two capital reserve propositions for the ballot.
The East Islip Union Free School District presented a proposed $132,460,345.82 budget for the 2026–27 school year and the board moved to adopt the plan after a public presentation.
District staff told the board the proposed budget rests on a projected 1.86% increase in the tax levy and an estimated state aid increase of about $347,000 (cited as 0.84% of the budget). Property taxes, the presentation said, account for roughly $79 million (about 60% of revenues), with state aid around $42 million (about 32%). Staff also said the district plans to use $7.3 million from reserves to balance the budget.
The presenter explained contingency rules that would apply if voters ultimately defeat the budget: in that case, certain nonessential items such as student supplies and equipment would be removed, the levy could not exceed the prior year, and the administrative component could not exceed the most recently passed budget. Under the contingency scenario outlined by staff, the levy increase would be limited to 0.83% and the district would need to find more than $2 million in reductions to reach contingency.
Board members also heard about two capital-reserve propositions that will appear on the ballot if approved by voters: an estimated $1.4 million project to install power generators at the high school to support critical systems (IT, HVAC, refrigeration) and a proposed $1.8 million transfer from an older capital reserve to a newer reserve (established in 2023–24) to support a future kitchen and serving-line renovation at an elementary school. The presenter noted reserving and transferring these funds require community votes.
During the meeting the board moved and seconded the resolution to adopt the budget as presented. The public portion of the transcript records the motion and a voice call for approval but does not include a roll-call tally in the recorded excerpt.
The district also scheduled the New York State required budget hearing for May 5, 2026, and set the district budget vote for May 19, 2026, with polling open 6:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. The board emphasized the schedule is driven in part by the state timetable for aid and exam/venue availability and said staff will continue outreach and information for voters.
