At the April 16 budget adoption meeting, the William Floyd Board of Education adopted its proposed budget for the 2024-25 school year, which calls for a slight increase of less than one percent (0.99 percent).

The increase estimates to a yearly increase of $92 (0.25 cents per day) for the averaged assessed home in the community (the average assessed home in the community is 1,995).

“This year’s budget proposal, a slight increase of less than one percent, maintains and sustains all programs while continuing to plan intelligently for the future in case of any future financial downturns,” said superintendent of schools Kevin M. Coster. “As always, the district strives for fiscal responsibility along with smart long-term planning, by asking for what is only needed. This was evident by the last three years in which the district held the budget to a zero increase in 2021-22, and successive reductions to the tax levy of nearly five percent and 18 percent over the last two budget cycles.”

“We are optimistic that the community will continue to be supportive of what we are doing to provide a great education and vast opportunities for students,” he added.

This proposed increase, which maintains and adds programs, comes on the heels of the past three years in which the district held the budget to a zero increase in 2021-22, a nearly $5 million reduction in the tax levy in 2022-23, and a $17.5 million reduction in the tax levy in 2023-24.

According to the district, with the outlook of the economy, the district is focusing on long-term plans to sustain district operations through any future financial downturns.

In addition to the budget, there are two propositions on the ballot—the creation of both the capital reserve and repair reserve funds to address facilities needs and upgrades without asking for additional funds from residents.

The annual budget hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. and the vote will be held on Tuesday, May 21, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the William Floyd High School east lobby.

Proposition #1: To adopt the annual budget in the amount of $310,860,689 of the William Floyd School District for the fiscal year 2024-25, and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the school district.

Proposition #2: Capital Reserve in the amount of $10,000,000

Shall the Board of Education of the William Floyd Union Free School District be authorized to establish a new capital reserve fund pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law of the State of New York, to be known as the “2024 Capital Reserve Fund” to pay costs of masonry upgrades, plumbing upgrades, electrical upgrades, mechanical upgrades, technology upgrades, telephone upgrades, roof replacement on District buildings, door replacement, window replacement, turf replacement, fencing, site work, including but not limited to paving, curbs and sidewalks, renovation/reconstruction/construction of interior and exterior instructional and/or athletic spaces, abatement of hazardous materials and/or the purchase of furnishings/equipment in an amount of up to $10 million (plus interest earned thereon), having a probable term of ten (10) years and be authorized to raise $10 million dollars to fund such capital reserve fund in the current (2023-24) or future years through various sources including, but not limited to, (i) amounts from budgetary appropriations; and/or (ii) unappropriated fund balance made available by the Board of Education; and/or (iii) authorized transfers from other available reserves in accordance with existing law; and/or (iv) New York state aid received and made available by the Board of Education?

Proposition #3: Repair Reserve in the amount of $6,000,000

Shall the Board of Education of the William Floyd Union Free School District be authorized to establish a new Repair Reserve fund pursuant to Section 6-d of the General Municipal Law, to be known as the “2024 Repair Reserve Fund” for the purposes of paying for repairs to capital improvements or equipment of a type that does not recur annually or at shorter intervals, in an amount up to $6 million (plus interest earned thereon), having a probable term of ten (10) years, to be funded with current (2023-24) or future years budgetary appropriations or other revenues not required by law to be paid into other funds or accounts?

Election of the Board of Education Trustees: To elect two trustees to the Board of Education for terms of three years commencing July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2027. The two seats are currently held by trustees Jennifer Ng Heitman and Kevin Meyer.

Voter Qualifications & Registration: In order to vote on the William Floyd School District budget and election of trustees, residents must be registered. Voter eligibility requires that you are: a United States citizen, at least 18 years of age, a district resident for at least 30 days, and a registered voter with the District’s Board of Registry or with the Suffolk County Board of Elections. District voter registration applies only to voting in the William Floyd School District. Residents may register at any William Floyd school through May 14, 2024 or at the District Office through May 16, 2024. Voter registration at District Office will close at 5 p.m. on May 16, 2024, but will continue throughout the date of the vote at the Suffolk County Board of Elections. Absentee applications are available on the district website or by calling the district clerk. For further information or to verify voter eligibility, please contact district clerk Carolyn Visintin at (631) 874-1117.