Huntington’s Proposed Budget Includes Minimal Tax Increase

Huntington School Board members unanimously adopted a budget to fund district operations in 2023/24 that features a tax increase of below one percent while enhancing popular programs.

An increase in state aid, low debt and an ongoing effort to keep a lid on expenditures all played a role in adopting a budget with a minimal tax rate increase.

Officials believe the budget is a conservative plan that will keep the district financially strong while providing an exceptional educational experience for 4,450 students.

Residents will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 16 at Huntington High School from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. to vote on the proposed spending plan along with a capital reserve fund proposition and to elect two trustees.

Superintendent James W. Polansky reviewed the proposed budget before trustees voted to adopt it and send it to residents for their consideration on May 16.

Mr. Polansky said the proposed financial plan aligns with the district’s mission, vision and core beliefs.

“The Board and administration are pleased to present the 2023/24 budget, which addresses student and school community needs comprehensively and which remains ever-mindful of the taxpayer burden,” Mr. Polansky said. “We appreciate all who contributed to the budget development process and remind residents to come out and vote on May 16.”

A copy of the budget is posted on the district’s website at www.hufsd.edu and can also be inspected in person at the Huntington Public Library and at any of the eight school buildings in Huntington UFSD. Questions about voting can be directed to the district clerk’s office at 631.673.2126 during regular business hours.

The budget enhances academic programs and keeps the art, music, physical education, extracurricular club and interscholastic athletic programs intact. It fully funds the Blue Devil marching band, elementary and secondary grade level bands, orchestras and ensembles and district drama clubs, the science research program, robotics and mock trial initiatives and other academic and co-curricular offerings. Student bus transportation based upon current mileage guidelines will also continue.

The plan provides funds to implement strategic improvements to the academic and co-curricular offerings across the district. Depending on the grade level, current class size guidelines will either be maintained or lowered. The budget sets aside monies for several contingent teacher positions that can be filled should enrollment increase.

The budget totals $146,347,091, an increase of 2.36 percent or $3,378,748 over the current year’s spending plan. If approved by residents, the 2023/24 budget would raise the tax levy by 0.88 percent.

It is estimated that the tax rate will increase from $251.31 to $253.53 per $100 of assessed valuation. The district is budgeting for assessed valuation to hold steady at $44,851,997. The final tax rate will be set in the fall after the district receives final figures from the town assessor.

The 2023/24 budget allocates monies for new text and print resources, new computer software, new library resources and new instructional equipment, including computers and tablet devices. The budget funds 72 interscholastic athletic teams and105 coaching positions.

Total state aid is projected to increase by $3,636,987 to $29,702,735 in 2023/24. The district is allocating $600,000 in surplus monies to hold down the tax rate.

Highlights of the proposed budget include:

• Expands the district’s computer science initiatives.

• Strengthens English-as-a-new language instructional services.

• Reduces elementary class sizes.

• Improves RtI reading and math support efforts.

• Provides an additional school counselor at Finley.

• Creates a new K-12 director of science and technology

• Provides funds to hire a construction manager to oversee the district’s capital projects.

• Creates a new student support advisor position at the intermediate grade level buildings.

• Provides for capital funding to replace a deteriorated greenhouse that is original to when Huntington High School was constructed in 1957/58.

• Maintains the district’s K-5 dual language and its world language FLEX program.

• Provides for a comprehensive special education program for students with disabilities and an assortment of support services for all students.

• Continues the SEARCH and Math Olympiad programs for fifth and sixth graders.

• Provides software and professional development for elementary iReady implementation.

• Includes monies to support new courses and programs across grades K-12.