May 20 vote: School district budget, propositions and election of trustees

The vote for the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District budget and election of trustees will take place on Tuesday, May 20 from 6am to 9pm at the William J. Brosnan School, Fifth Avenue Elementary School and Dickinson Avenue Elementary School. 

The budget-to-budget increase is 1.8%, which represents a budget of $191,311,187. The proposed tax levy increase is 2.2%, representing approximately $194 for the average household. 

A final budget presentation posted on the district website states that the Northport-East Northport district currently has the lowest tax rate in the Town of Huntington. Additionally, the district’s average tax levy increase since 2012-2013 (1.40%) is the 23rd lowest out of 124 Long Island districts. “This is due to consistent efforts to reduce the tax levy through carefully managing budgets for long term fiscal stability,” the presentation states.

Factors that caused the budget to increase this year include a 21% increase in premiums for property and liability insurance; an increase of approximately $268,000 to support capital project needs; and inflationary pressures that have led to rising costs for food, supplies, capital equipment and other district expenditures. 

Budget savings were made possible with the proposed reduction of 22 full-time employees, all through attrition. Savings also came from using in-district staff for building renovations and upgrades instead of using outside vendors, and eliminating cul-de-sacs from bus routes. 

In addition to voting “yes” or “no” on the district budget (Proposition No. 1), the community will be asked to vote on three additional propositions. 

Proposition No. 2 authorizes the district to expend $2,032,761 for the purpose of performing necessary capital projects including district-wide roof replacements and/or repairs and renovations and district-wide HVAC and mechanical reconstruction/renovations. The total cost of the projects will be funded from the Capital Reserve Fund established in 2021. These funds have already been placed in capital reserves; voters are approving their use, but there is no additional tax impact for residents if the proposition is approved. 

Proposition No. 3 is for the purpose of receiving an additional 10% building aid from the New York State Education Department to enter into an energy savings improvement project. The project will increase solar energy capacity in the district and will be of no cost to district taxpayers. 

Proposition No. 4 has been placed on the ballot by the Northport Historical Society and Museum. The inclusion of this proposition on the ballot is a legal requirement and is not connected to the school district’s budget or educational programs – it does not pertain to the operation, budget or management of the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District.

If approved, Proposition 4 would allow the Town of Huntington to impose an annual tax of between $3.10 and $3.74 per household to help support the historical society’s operations. The proposition will appear on the ballot as follows: Shall the Board of Education of the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District, Suffolk County, New York, be authorized to raise the sum of $60,000 for payment of operational and maintenance expenses on behalf of The Northport Historical Society and Museum for the fiscal year 2025-2026 and annually thereafter and to levy the necessary tax, therefore?

Also on the May 20 ballot is the election of three trustees for the district’s Board of Education. Five candidates are running, listed here in the order in which they will appear on the ballot: Christine Ruggeri, Thomas Loughran, Joseph Pushee, James Maloney and Ray Burney. The district’s candidate newsletter can be found here. 

More information on the 2025-26 proposed budget can be found using the links below:

Budget Overview Video
Budget FAQ Sheet
Full Education and Operation Plan & Proposed Budget