Budget Vote and Trustee Election on Tuesday, May 21

The Huntington School Board held a public hearing this past Monday night on the proposed budget for 2024/25 that will be voted on by district residents next Tuesday, May 21 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Huntington High School gym. A capital reserve fund proposition will also be on the ballot. Four candidates are running for three seats on the school board.

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.

The budget proposal totals $152,277,619. It is estimated the tax rate would increase by 2.93 percent. Officials are estimating an increase in state aid of $1,674,265 to a total of $31,377,000. Trustees decided to use $1,57,651 in reserve funds to help keep the tax rate as low as possible.

The budget also includes a $250,000 transfer of funds to capital to cover the installation of hallway cross corridor smoke doors at Southdown and Washington primary schools to improve safety.

The capital reserve fund proposition seeks voter approval for release of reserve funds to complete projects as follows:

• Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School—Installation of cafeteria air conditioning: $450,000

• Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School—Phase III of roof replacement: $1,000,000

• Huntington High School auditorium renovations and improvements: $2,690,800

• Renovation and reconstruction of two public bathrooms off the Huntington High School lobby utilized by visitors, auditorium events and during the school day: $425,000

The proposition includes an estimated $4,565,800 in project costs, to be funded by monies currently held in reserve accounts established to cover capital costs. As such, passage of this proposition will not increase taxes. Following completion of these projects, the district will receive approximately 40% in state building aid reimbursements over the next 15 years.

Incumbent trustees Thomas Galvin and Theresa Sullivan will be on the ballot along with challengers Sara Baliber and Annie Michaelian. Candidates are running at-large with the highest three vote-getters winning election to three year terms. Incumbent trustee Christine Biernacki is not seeking re-election and serving three terms covering nine years, including three years as the Huntington School Board president.

Proposed budget highlights 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 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.

For more information about any aspect of the May 21 vote, call the district clerk’s office at 631.673.2126 during regular business hours.