NEN: Budget talk, another COMPASS workshop and school tours
Northport High School is one of three schools included in “A Night Inside Our Schools” tours, offered this year as an opportunity for community members to gain a closer look at classrooms, libraries and STEM spaces across the district.
Finalized budget presented
A final budget presentation at the April 21 board of education meeting offered no reduction to the proposed tax levy increase, though options to reduce the budget were discussed during the presentation. Those options ranged from reducing one reading teacher through attrition to excessing one elementary school teacher, eliminating a subsidy to the YDA, eliminating the printed district calendar and increasing the fund balance/reserves transfer to the general fund.
After their discussion, trustees approved the 2026-2027 budget as is, in the amount of $195,126,448, a 1.99% budget-to-budget increase and 2.26% tax levy increase. The vote passed 6-1 with only Trustee David Badanes voting against the budget. The finalized numbers represent an estimated increase of $205.61 per year for the average taxpayer. To view the final budget presentation, click here or watch the video.
A public hearing on the finalized budget will take place on Thursday, May 7, 7pm, at the Brosnan building. Past budget presentations, including a budget overview and presentations on non-instructional budget items and instructional budget/staffing items can be found here.
The annual budget vote and board of education trustee election will take place from 6am to 9pm on Tuesday, May 19. Voter information, including how and where to vote either through absentee ballot, early voting or on election day, can be found here. There is currently just one candidate – incumbent Donna McNaughton – running for two available trustee seats, though qualified candidates may run as a write-in; the board is discussing other options as well, should the seat not be filled.
Financial future topic of COMPASS meeting this evening
The next COMPASS workshop, “Charting our Financial Future: Planning for What Comes Next” will take place tonight, Monday, April 27 at Northport High School and is open to all district residents.
The COMPASS initiative is a yearlong process designed to engage residents, families and staff in shaping a long-range plan for the district. The board of education approved in February 2025 a contract for community engagement consultation services; a facilitating team composed of community members, district officials and educators have since been working together with the consultant, and will develop at the initiative’s end a report on the priorities and values of the Northport-East Northport (NEN) school district community.
The April 27 workshop begins at 7pm; the report presenting the COMPASS board’s findings from all the community workshops will take place later in the spring.
School tours scheduled
On Thursday, April 30, the district will host “A Night Inside Our Schools,” offered this year as an opportunity for community members to gain a closer look at classrooms, libraries and STEM spaces across the district. Tours at three schools will be given; attendees are invited to share feedback at the upcoming COMPASS meeting. District residents may attend one or all of the tours, which are scheduled for Pulaski Road Elementary School (5-5:45pm); Northport High School (6-6:45pm); and Northport Middle School (7-7:45pm). Families visiting Northport High School will also have the opportunity to see the K-12 Research Science & Engineering Design Expo.
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