Suffolk school board approves $6.8 million amendment to 2026–27 budget

The Suffolk City School Board on July 23 approved an amended fiscal 2026–27 budget totaling $255,005,201, a net increase of about $6.8 million over the previously adopted plan. "We're gonna have $255,005,201. That's a net change of $6,800,000 that we're gonna be adding to our budget in 2627," said Anthony Lebron, chief financial officer, during a presentation to the board.

Lebron told the board the increase includes approximately $4,000,000 in state funds and $2,600,000 in local appropriations from the City of Suffolk, which covers $1,500,000 of committed expenses being rolled forward from FY2025–26. He also said the district plans to reappropriate an estimated year‑end surplus of $466,000 and that the food services fund increases by $57,000. Lebron detailed state allocations as roughly $3.1 million for compensation, $943,000 for targeted student supports, $256,000 for food and nutrition and operations, and $818,000 for infrastructure and operational capacity.

Lebron warned that Average Daily Membership (ADM) changes affect state allocations and said maintaining enrollment will remain a priority: "If that number went down, then they have to adjust the amount of funding they gave us initially," he said, adding that the district worked to ensure a 4% raise for eligible 12‑month employees beginning in August. The board moved and unanimously passed the resolution to adopt the amended budget (resolution 2026/2027‑3). The approved addendum will be incorporated into the district’s printed budget book and implemented by staff following the formal vote.