The school district budget revote will take place on June 15 and I encourage our entire community to exercise their right to vote. The Northport-East Northport UFSD has put forth a new proposed budget with a 0% tax levy increase and supports the following:
Maintain our educational program, including exemplary music, art and sports programs, continued focus on STEM opportunities and wide course offerings at the high school both now and into the future.
Ensures the district is able to continue the capital improvements necessary to maintain our buildings, such as roof replacements and HVAC upgrades.
Fund the purchase of new playground equipment for both middle schools.
Provide ongoing support for the social emotional needs of our students.
Continue our trend of fiscally responsive tax levy increases which have been 42% lower over the past decade than the average tax levy increase in Suffolk County.
It is important to note that if the district were forced to adopt a contingency budget, the tax levy would be the same as the proposed budget. There would, however, be significant immediate and long term implications to the district’s operations, which may impact future budgets and school programs. For example, a contingency budget places limitations on district spending, and would effectively pause all capital projects and purchasing of equipment. These needs do not disappear under a contingency budget, they are merely postponed until future budgets.
I want to emphasize the district’s long term approach to financial planning. Our focus has always been, and will continue to be, on providing our students with an exceptional educational experience, while being fiscally responsible to our community.
The budget vote is taking place June 15, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Dickinson Avenue, Fifth Avenue and the William J. Brosnan building. Once again, we encourage our community to exercise their right to vote. For more information about the budget vote, please visit the district’s website at northport.k12.ny.us
Robert Banzer, Superintendent of Schools
