Budgets for the next school year

PAT-MED

The Patchogue-Medford School District released a $252,223,893 proposed 2026–2027 budget. The budget would increase taxes by 3.15 percent.

The proposed budget-to-budget appropriation increase of 2.83 percent, including an interfund transfer of $2,500,000 to capital projects. Also, it does not pierce the tax cap.

According to the district, the tax cap formula caps the tax levy, not the tax rate.   Based on the formula established by New York State, dollar values of tax levies can differ from district to district.

“The budget we have developed reflects a careful and deliberate process that balances the educational needs of our students with our responsibility to the taxpayers who fund our schools,” said Patchogue-Medford School District interim superintendent Lori Cannetti. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to our Board of Education and all our administrators who played an integral role in developing this budget. This was a team effort that required dedication and a shared commitment to doing right by our students and our community.”

The proposed budget will include an interfund transfer for capital project including: bathroom upgrades at Patchogue-Medford High School, Medford Elementary School, and Barton Elementary School. The estimated cost is $1.5 million. The proposal also includes the outdoor abatement of soil and asbestos containing materials for Bay Elementary School. The estimated cost is $1 million.

The second proposition on the ballot is for the purposes of seeking community approval to expend $5 million from the capital reserve, which was established in 2022. 

SOUTH COUNTRY

The South Country Central School District faces a financial crisis for the 2026-27 school year, with the board approving a $150.5 million budget proposal that includes a 13.45 percent tax levy increase to cover a projected $5.67 million shortfall.

This plan requires a 60 percent supermajority vote on May 19, because it exceeds the tax cap.
New York State comptroller’s office released an audit report on the 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and proposed 2026-2027 budgets of the South Country School District. The proposed budget for next year and actual budget were compared and a budget deficit of approximately $8.7 million would be incurred based on the allocations for 2025-2026.

As the school district has no available surplus funds and staffing cuts and spending freezes have not been successful in replenishing the needed funds, the district reported a general fund balance deficit of $1.8 million as of June, 30, 2025. The state estimates a fiscal year-end deficit of $10.5 million. District officials affirmed that the district will need to borrow at least $6 million to balance the 2026-2027 budget.

“While deficit financing can provide immediate relief, any such borrowing would most likely increase the overall deficit and create future funding gaps due to reliance on debt to pay for operating expenses,” read the state audit.

The state’s advised actions were:

Develop a plan to fund operations and discontinue the practice of relying on one-time revenues to finance recurring expenditures.

Use trend analysis when developing budget appropriations.

Closely monitor revenues and expenditures and make budget modifications as necessary in a timely manner to ensure a balanced budget.

The audit characterized the board-adopted 2025-1026 budget as “not reasonable.”

WILLIAM FLOYD

The board also adopted a slight increase of 0.99 percent for the 2026-27 proposed budget on April 21. The overall proposed budget for 2026-27 is $332,475,894, a 1.83 percent increase from last year’s budget. That is a total of $243 per average household per year.

“This year’s proposed budget is less than one percent and maintains essential school programs while strengthening academic opportunities for our students. This slight increase helps ensure that the district continues operating at an optimal level despite any potential future financial downturns,” said Kevin Coster, superintendent of schools, William Floyd School District. “This proposal comes on the heels of a zero percent increase last year and large reductions totaling more than $23 million over the past few years. The Board of Education has adopted another budget that successfully balances the best opportunities for our students while being fiscally responsible to the community.”

The district also estimated the transportation budget at $21 million; however, Transportation Aid is paid the year after the expense is made, so the proposed aid is based on updated estimated 2024-25 expenses.

According to the district, the budget maintains all programs, classes, staff and student opportunities that currently exist. A $2.9 million transfer to capital would also allow for building upgrades, including masonry renovation, plumbing upgrades, electrical upgrades, mechanical upgrades, technology upgrades, telephone upgrades, roof replacement on district buildings, door replacement, window replacement, turf replacement, fencing, site work, including but not limited to: paving, curbs and sidewalks, renovation/reconstruction of food service spaces, interior and exterior instructional spaces, abatement of hazardous materials and/or the purchase of furnishings/equipment.

BAYPORT-BLUE POINT

The Bayport-Blue Point School District is proposing a $88,387,020 budget, roughly $760,000 less than the current year’s approved budget. The district is proposing a tax levy increase of 2.75 percent, which is above the state-mandated tax cap of -.76 percent, requiring 60 percent voter approval to pass.

The district’s negative tax cap is due to expiring debt service, an outcome administrators anticipated and prepared for through finding savings through staff retirements and attrition, along with implementing “operational efficiencies to reduce the impact on the budget,” according to the budget newsletter.

The district also released a “budget fact sheet” that explains how they’re approaching the negative tax cap.

“The District has consistently stayed within or below the tax cap. In fact, last year’s tax increase was a very modest 0.25 percent,” the fact sheet says. “BBP has maintained a conservative, long-term financial approach to budgeting. This year’s proposal reflects unique circumstances, not a shift in financial stewardship or philosophy.”

Keri Loughlin, assistant superintendent for finance and operations at Bayport-Blue Point School District, said this tax levy increase translates to a roughly $24 monthly increase in school taxes, but that the numbers are not finalized until the fall.

The budget maintains all programs and expands on certain offerings. The district is seeking to expand its special education program and add new equipment across different schools, including replacing aging Chromebooks. New athletics offerings would also include girls’ flag football.

Along with Chromebook replacements, the district is looking to upgrade its wireless access points and improve its cybersecurity systems.

For capital needs, including custodial, maintenance, and grounds salaries and benefits, as well as security, utilities, and capital projects, the district is looking to purchase a new pickup truck and replace and repair HVAC systems districtwide, as well as replace flooring and pipes at Blue Point Elementary School.

For the Bayport-Blue Point Board of Education, incumbent trustees Jessica Pignataro and Michael Miller are running unopposed for re-election to three-year terms.

Voting is open at the Bayport-Blue Point High School Gym from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.