Budget & Capital Proposition Vote & Trustee Election on May 19

Huntington UFSD residents will go to the polls on Tuesday, May 19 to vote on the budget and capital reserve fund propositions and to elect two members to the seven member Board of Education. The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the high school gym.

Huntington School Board President Xavier Palacios said the budget proposal will maintain the community’s “strong commitment to education”. The budget totals $161,013,904. It is estimated the tax rate would increase by 2.76 percent.

“The proposed budget maintains a tax levy at the state-mandated limit while upholding our commitment to a robust K-12 educational program,” Mr. Palacios said. “The development of this year’s budget has been particularly challenging due to rising non-discretionary expenses, limited increases in foundation aid, and a decrease in overall state aid.”

The budget estimates a decrease in state aid of $902,560. Trustees decided to use $2,568,048 in reserve funds to help keep the tax rate as low as possible.

The Board of Education and administration have worked diligently to devise a budget that sustains a high-quality instructional program while being considerate of the financial impact on our community,” Mr. Palacios said. “This year’s budget aligns with the district’s newly developed strategic plan and maintains a host of academic supports for our students. It continues to support newly adopted courses and programs, ensures appropriate class sizes at every grade level and allocates funds for elective classes and more than 30 Advanced Placement courses.”

The full budget is posted on the district website and is also available at individual school buildings and at both branches of the Huntington Public Library.

“Additionally, the budget provides funding to upgrade and enhance district facilities,” Mr. Palacios said. “It also maintains elementary summer school and the high school freshman seminar, while maintaining funding for student mental health initiatives. Resources are allocated for the research, planning and development of new courses, as well as for the continued use of a transportation parent application.”

The 2026/27 budget supports extensive opportunities in fine and performing arts, intramural and interscholastic athletics, along with numerous clubs, band, chorus, marching band, orchestra, accelerated art courses, unified athletic and art programs, concerts, academic competitions, drama club productions, field trips, student councils, art shows and science expos.

“Additionally, cherished initiatives such as the New York Bar Association mock trial program, Virtual Enterprise business classes, robotics teams, pre-kindergarten, the dual language program, National History Day, the Highsteppers dance team, E-sports, and elementary STEM opportunities are included,” Mr. Palacios said.

The 2026/27 budget also includes an appropriation of $13,022,669.40 for the first year of a five-year contract with Huntington Coach Corporation (the total cost of which is $74,955,946.80) for school year, summer, athletics, and field trip transportation.

Voter approval of the 2026/27 Budget constitutes approval of the five-year transportation contract and the expected budget appropriations for the contract, which shall be included in a footnote to the line-item budget.

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

• Flower Hill Primary School

Install Fire-rated Partitions and Doors: $18,732

• Washington Primary School

Install Fire-rated Partitions and Doors: $18,732

• J. Taylor Finley Middle School

Install Fire Alarm Additions: $55,890

Install Non-Rated Interior Window: $16,443

Install Enclosure for 2nd Floor Stairwell: $87,250

Repair Partition Cracks: $8,694

• Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School

Install Fire Alarm Additions: $10,459

• Woodhull Intermediate School

Construct Amphitheater: $374,642

• Huntington High School

Repair Exterior Wall Cracks: $110,814

Repair Interior Bearing Wall Cracks: $160,908

Install Interior Basement Door Stair Enclosures (three locations): $281,438

Install interior-rated walls and non fire-rated wall partitions: $175,000

Renovate Two Large Restrooms: $696,192

Install Electrical Subpanels: $99,960

The proposition includes an estimated $2,115,154 in project costs, to be funded by monies currently held in reserve accounts established to cover capital costs. Passage of this proposition will not increase taxes.

Following completion of these projects, the district will receive approximately 40 percent in state building aid reimbursements over the next 15 years

Note: The 2026/27 budget also includes a $250,000 transfer to capital to replace and upgrade the Finley Middle School auditorium lighting and sound system, and to upgrade the gym sound systems at Flower Hill, Southdown, and Washington Primary schools.

Incumbent trustee Xavier Palacios will be on the ballot along with challenger, William Dwyer. Current six-year incumbent trustee Kelly Donovan is retiring from office.

(Note: PLEASE BE ADVISED, that Cooper Macco has withdrawn his candidacy for the school board. Since Cooper Macco has withdrawn his candidacy, he will no longer be considered a candidate in the election and the ballot will not list his name as a candidate. In such case, the law requires the District to extend the time for filing nominating petitions until 5 p.m. on May 7, 2026. Any persons interested in submitting a petition should contact the District Clerk’s office for further information.)

Candidates are running at-large with the highest two vote-getters winning election to three year terms.

For more information about any aspect of the May 19 vote, call the district clerk’s office at 631.673.2126 during regular business hours.