Huntington UFSD residents will go to the polls in two weeks to render a decision on the proposed 2021/22 school year budget and a capital reserve fund proposition and to elect three members to the Board of Education to serve three year terms through June 30, 2024.
A public hearing on the proposed budget is set for Monday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. To learn more about the budget and to review documents and each of the budget presentations visit the Huntington School District’s website and click on Main Navigation on the top left of the main page; then click on School Budget under the Leadership section and scroll down.
Residents will vote in the Huntington High School gymnasium on Tuesday, May 18 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Absentee ballot voting is also available for those who apply with District Clerk Joanne Miranda. Call 631-673-2126 during regular business hours for more information.
The estimated tax levy increase of 0.20 percent is believed to be the lowest in at least four decades and perhaps much longer. The average home assessed at $3,400 would see taxes rise $17 before any STAR program savings are applied.
The district projects it will receive an increase in state aid amounting to $6,139,648, bringing total state aid to $22,166,741. The tax rate would increase from the current $250.46 per $100 of assessed valuable to an estimated $250.96. Trustees will set the 2021/22 tax rate next fall when final assessment figures are announced by the town assessor.
The projected rise in state aid is the largest such increase in the history of Huntington UFSD. Because of the funding, the district found it possible to remain $1.7 million below the property tax cap.
District officials said the proposed budget continues Huntington’s 364 year commitment to providing a first rate education for the young people of the community by maintaining an exceptionally strong academic program for approximately 4,400 students in grades K-12.
Highlights of the proposed plan include:
• Provides for an extensive line-up of Regents, Honors and Advanced Placement courses in every academic area.
• Provides needed academic and social-emotional support in COVID-19’s wake.
• Continues expansion of the district’s technological infrastructure and 1:1 computing device initiative.
• Provides tools for implementation of the new computer science standards, as well as revised standards in all core disciplines.
• Funds comprehensive art and music opportunities, including band, orchestra, chorus, marching band, music ensembles, specialized art courses.
• Funds 64 athletic teams for high school and middle school students, 100 coaching positions and a full-time athletic trainer.
• Broadens interdisciplinary STEM initiatives throughout the district.
• Maintains the district’s K-5 dual language program and world language FLEX program.
• Includes a comprehensive special education program for students with disabilities and support services for all students.
• Continues the SEARCH and Math Olympiad programs for fifth and sixth grade students.
• Reinforces the district’s commitment to the high school Virtual Enterprise, science research program and robotics programs.
• Provides a complete program of adult-supervised, after-school extracurricular activities, including dozens of clubs for students.
• Funds student drama club productions, newspapers, concerts, science fairs, the district art show and many more activities and programs.
Capital Reserve Fund Proposition
Residents will also have an opportunity to vote on a capital reserve fund proposition. Passage of the proposition will have no effect on taxes since the monies are already in an account established by residents for such projects.
Approval of the proposition will permit funding for an estimated $3.525 million in projects. The monies already rest in reserve accounts established to cover costs associated with renovation and reconstruction work.
Huntington UFSD’s use of capital reserve funds has allowed the district to avoid borrowing large sums of money, incurring interest costs or accumulating debt. The district currently has less than $1.2 million in long-term debt, which is substantially below almost every other Long Island school district.
Capital projects on the May 18 ballot include:
Huntington High School—Partial roofing replacement: $1.45 million;
J. Taylor Finley Middle School—Parking lot renovations (Phase I); replacement of original gymnasium bleachers; replacement of gymnasium hallway flooring: $1.175 million;
Jefferson Primary School—Replacement of two original building boilers: $900,000.
Since May 2016, residents have approved over $17.1 million for completion of capital projects. The district will receive millions in state aid reimbursements over the next 15 years as a result.
Trustee Election
Incumbents Christine Biernacki and Lynda Tine-D’Anna and challengers Thomas Galvin and Theresa Sullivan are vying for three seats on the Huntington School Board. The candidates run at-large with the top three vote-getters winning three year terms.