Trustees Continue Budget Review at Monday Night Meeting

The budget season is racing to its conclusion in Huntington UFSD as school officials and trustees continue to review spending and revenue levels as they await final state aid figures.

Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Management Services Dr. Rubie Harris made a presentation at this past Monday night’s public meeting of the Huntington School Board during which she outlined the current state of the budget. The estimated tax rate change to fund the 2025/26 school year program is 2.99 percent.

Next year’s tentative budget currently stands at $157,892,675. The district remains hopeful that once the state budget is finalized, Huntington UFSD will receive more state aid than what was included in the governor’s initial proposal.

Budget highlights include:

• The budget aligns with the district’s newly develop strategic plan.

• A host of academic “student supports” are maintained in the budget.

• The budget continues to support newly adopted courses and programs.

• Appropriate class sizes are maintained on every grade level and there are monies for elective classes and more than 30 Advanced Placement courses.

• Funding is provided to upgrade and enhance district facilities.

• The budget maintains elementary summer school and the high school freshman seminar.

• There is an increase in monies for student mental health initiatives and English as a new language supports.

• The budget funds research, planning and development of new courses.

• Monies are provided for a new transportation parent app.

The budget projects assessed valuation of taxable property to remain flat at $44,644,462. Should the assessment rise, the district will be in a position to lower the estimated tax rate increase before the tax rate is set next fall.

Trustees will meet again on Tuesday, April 22 in the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School auditorium at 7:30 p.m. to adopt the 2025/26 budget and send it to district residents for a vote on Tuesday, May 20.