Trustees to Meet on Budget on Monday Night

The Huntington School Board will continue its series of budget related public meetings on Monday night when trustees gather in the Adam Spector Auditorium at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School at 7:30 p.m.

Trustees are scheduled to adopt a budget to fund district operations commencing on July 1 and running through June 30, 2025. The district has been awaiting finalization of the state budget, which was due April 1, but has been delayed as Governor Kathy Hochul and state legislative leaders haggle over policy, spending and taxes.

Huntington UFSD hopes to receive additional state aid above the amount proposed by the governor two months ago. The current draft budget totals $152,277,619. The estimated tax rate increase is 2.93 percent, one full percentage point below the district’s tax cap of 3.93 percent.

An increase in state aid and/or assessed valuation could lead to a lower tax rate increase when trustees set the rate early next fall.

During a presentation last Monday, Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Management Services Dr. Rubie Harris said the budget aligns with the district’s mission, vision and core beliefs; maintains multi-tiered system of supports and response to intervention supports; supports new courses, including computer science and the high school physical education choice initiative; maintains appropriate class sizes, electives and Advanced Placement courses; upgrades and enhances district facilities; maintains elementary summer school and the high school freshman seminar program among many other key components.

Trustees will hold a public budget hearing on Monday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School auditorium.

District residents will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 21 in the Huntington High School gym between 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. to vote on the adopted budget and capital reserve fund proposition. Residents will also elect three members to serve three year terms on the Huntington School Board