Huntington Trustees Adopt Budget Proposal for 2024-25

Huntington School Board members have unanimously adopted a budget to fund district operations in 2024/25. Residents will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 21 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 related proposition and to elect three trustees.

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. Current class size guidelines will be maintained. The budget sets aside monies for several contingent teacher positions that can be filled should enrollment increase.

The budget totals $152,277,619, an increase of 4.05 percent over the current year’s spending plan. If approved by residents, the 2024/25 budget will raise the tax levy by an estimated 2.93 percent.

It is estimated that the tax rate will rise to $260.83 per $100 of assessed valuation. The district is budgeting for assessed valuation to hold steady at $44,872,891. The final tax rate will be set in the fall after the district receives final figures from the town assessor. An increase in assessed valuation would translate into a lower tax rate.

District executives believe the proposed school budget continues Huntington’s 367 year commitment to providing a top notch education for the young people of the community by maintaining an exceptionally strong academic program for approximately 4,100 students in grades K-12.

Among the proposed budget’s highlights:

• Provides for an extensive line-up of Regents, Honors and Advanced Placement courses in every academic area.

• Provides needed academic and social-emotional support as the school community continues to recover from the pandemic.

• Continues expansion of the district’s technological infrastructure and 1:1 computing device initiative.

• Provides tools for implementation new computer science and physical education courses, as well as revised standards in all core disciplines.

• Funds comprehensive art and music opportunities, including band, orchestra, chorus, marching band, music ensembles, and specialized art courses.

• Funds 34 varsity sports programs along with junior varsity and middle school teams 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 and enhanced intramurals for grades 4-12.

• Funds student drama club productions, newspapers, concerts, science fairs, the district art show, and much more.

Officials believe the budget is a conservative plan that will keep the district financially strong while providing an exceptional educational experience for students on all grade levels.

“The proposed budget features a tax levy that falls below the state-mandated limit while also maintaining the district’s commitment to a strong K-12 educational program,” Huntington School Board President Xavier Palacios said. “This year’s budget development process has been one of the most demanding in recent years, as it included increases in a number of non-discretionary expenses along with a minimal increase in state aid.”

A public budget hearing will be held on Monday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School auditorium. Residents will cast ballots on the budget proposal on Tuesday, May 21 in the Huntington High School gymnasium from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“Together, the Board of Education and administration have worked diligently over the past few months to craft and present a budget that will maintain a high quality instructional program while being mindful of the financial impact on the community,” Mr. Palacios said. “Across every grade level this budget provides the teachers, programs, and classes for Huntington students to achieve success.”