Vote Today on Budget & Capital Reserve Proposition & Trustee Election

Huntington School District residents will go to the polls today, Tuesday, May 19 to cast ballots on the proposed school budget for 2026/27 and a capital reserve fund proposition and to elect two members to the board of education. Voting will be held at Huntington High School from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The budget totals $161,013,904, an increase of 2.05 percent over the current year’s spending plan. If approved by residents, the 2026/27 budget would raise the tax levy by an estimated 2.76 percent or $267.64 before the STAR program reduction for the average home assessment.

It is estimated that the tax rate will increase from $270.83 to $278.30 per $100 of assessed valuation. The district is budgeting for assessed valuation to hold steady at $44,465,263. The final tax rate will be set in the fall after the district receives final figures from the town assessor.

“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.

Proposed budget highlights also include:

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

• Continues to enhance the district’s technological infrastructure, including desktops, laptops, SMART Boards and software.

• Provides for academic enrichments and supports based upon individual student needs.

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

• Provides students with academic and social-emotional intervention and support services as needed.

• Continues to enhance the district’s technological infrastructure, including desktops, laptops, SMART Boards and software.

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

• Funds a full complement of interscholastic sports teams along with free intramural, weight training and fitness and conditioning programs.

• Continues to broaden interdisciplinary STEM initiatives throughout the district.

• Dedicates funding for a comprehensive special education program for students with disabilities and support services for all students.

• Reinforces the district’s commitment to the Virtual Enterprise, mock trial, video broadcasting science research and robotics programs.

• Includes a complete program of adult-supervised after-school extracurricular activities, including dozens of clubs for students and enhanced intramurals for grades 4-12.

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

Capital Reserve Proposition

Huntington School Board members have approved a capital reserve fund proposition and placed it on the May 19 ballot. If the proposal is approved by residents it will fund an estimated $2,115,154 worth of projects.

Passage of the proposition will not result in any increase in taxes since the monies already exist in reserve fund established to cover costs with renovation and reconstruction work.

The projects will utilize monies drawn from the 2022 Building Improvement Fund. Huntington UFSD’s use of capital reserve funds has allowed the district to avoid borrowing large sums of money, incurring interest costs and accumulating debt. The district’s long-term debt will be completely extinguished by a payment due on June 30.

The monies in the capital reserve fund represent dollars already provided to the district by taxpayers that weren’t needed for regular school operations due to stringent fiscal management and economizing. The source of the funding is the annual transfer of surplus monies from the district’s general fund.

If residents approve release of the Building Improvement Fund monies, the district will be able to complete all of the projects without needing to bond or borrow any of the funds necessary. There won’t be a tax rate impact if the funds are released. The district will also be eligible for reimbursement by the state for a substantial percentage of final costs.

The 14 projects that will be on the May 19 ballot include:

1. $18,732 to install fire-rated partitions and doors at Flower Hill Primary School;

2. $18,732 to install fire-rated partitions and doors at Washington Primary School;

3. $10,459 to install fire alarm additions at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School;

4. $374,642 to construct amphitheater at Woodhull Intermediate School;

5. $55,890 to install fire alarm additions at Finley Middle School;

6. $16,443 to replace a non-rated interior window at Finley Middle School;

7. $87,250 to install enclosure for second floor stairwell at Finley Middle School;

8. $8,694 to repair partition cracks at Finley Middle School;

9. $110,814 to repair exterior wall cracks at Huntington High School;

10. $160,908 to repair interior bearing wall cracks at Huntington High School;

11. $281,438 to install interior basement door stair enclosures (three locations) at Huntington High School;

12. $175,000 to install interior-rated walls and non-fire-rated wall partitions at Huntington High School;

13. $696,192 to renovate restrooms at Huntington High School; and

14. $99,960 to install electrical subpanels at Huntington High School

Should the proposition pass on May 19, the district’s architectural and engineering firm of BBS will formally design each of the projects and submit the plans to the State Education Department for approval. Once SED approval is received, the district will seek bids for the work. District officials are hopeful that the bids will come in below estimates, lowering the cost of the projects.

Trustee Election

Residents will also have an opportunity to elect two members to the Board of Education. The top two vote-getters will earn three year terms commencing on July 1 and running through June 30, 2026. William Dwyer and Xavier Palacios are vying in the election.

Eligibility to Vote

To be eligible to vote in the election, an individual must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age or older, a resident of Huntington School District for at least 30 days and be registered to vote in a general election or with the school district. For more information contact District Clerk Kim Zelman at (631) 673-2126 or kzelman@hufsd.edu.