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Board reviews $69.4 million proposed 2026–27 budget, new capital reserve on May ballot
Summary
Board budget presenter said the proposed 2026–27 budget totals roughly $69.4 million, stays within the 2.58% tax-cap allowable levy and relies on $1.5 million of fund balance; the district will also ask voters to authorize technology and capital reserve propositions in May.
The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District’s budget presenter reviewed a proposed 2026–27 budget that would total approximately $69.4 million and remain within the allowable tax-levee growth of 2.58%.
"The proposed 26–27 budget totals approximately 69,400,000," Miss Raynor said during the fourth budget presentation, adding that the proposed tax levy is approximately $61,400,000 and that the district plans to appropriate $1,500,000 of fund balance consistent with prior years. She said state aid is projected to increase by roughly $104,000, driven mainly by expense-driven reimbursement rather than flexible operating aid.
The presenter outlined main expenditure pressures, noting that about 73% of proposed spending is devoted to salaries and benefits and that transportation, health insurance, retirement system costs, IEP mandates and liability insurance have driven most of the district’s budget increases in recent years.
"Only 5 categories account for the majority of the pressure we continue to see in this budget," Miss Raynor said, explaining that the structural cost drivers have absorbed much allowable revenue growth.
In addition to the operating budget, the board reviewed three ballot propositions the community will vote on in May: (1) the annual school budget (Proposition 1) in the amount of $69,378,079; (2) $495,000 from the technology reserve for student devices and classroom displays (Proposition 2); and (3) $980,000 from the existing capital reserve for specified projects (Proposition 3). The board also reviewed a fourth proposition to establish a new capital reserve fund capped at $25 million with a 15-year term and annual transfers not to exceed $2 million (Proposition 4).
Miss Raynor emphasized that the new capital reserve proposition does not authorize any specific projects; any future project funded from the reserve would require separate board action and voter approval. The presentation closed with reminders about the public budget hearing and the annual vote schedule.
