2025-2026 Budget Brochure.pdf
Building a Strong and Sustainable Future for Our Schools
Proposed Budget Represents 2.54% Tax Levy Increase; Requires Supermajority Voter Approval
The Proposed Budget
2.54% Tax Levy Increase
Average Tax Impact =
$138/year
Requires a 60% plus one Supermajority Voter Approval
The proposed budget includes:
• Expanded IXL for K-12 ELA and math instruction.
• Computer science digital fluency course in the high school.
• Foundations for Success: executive functioning course in the middle school.
• Science textbooks for middle and high schools.
• Kids Discover Access – Helping to unlock nonfiction information in the elementary schools.
• Modern language textbooks for Spanish and French for the middle and high schools.
• Weight room equipment in the high school.
• Technology equipment for high school: bandsaw and engineering construction kits.
A Cap-Compliant Budget
3.35% Tax Levy Increase
Average Tax Impact =
$183/year
Requires an additional $1.7 million in budget cuts.
This would require significant
reductions to:
• Athletic programs.
• Clubs.
• Field trips.
• Use of facilities by outside organizations.
• Fine arts, including the elimination of the third grade music program.
• Arts in Education.
• Grades 3-4 RISE program.
• AP classes.
• Gregory Museum.
The proposed budget, while it pierces the tax levy cap, carries a LOWER increase for residents than a cap-compliant budget.
If the district is forced to adopt a cap-compliant budget, an additional $1.7 million would need to be cut from the budget. Additionally, it would cost taxpayers MORE than the proposed spending plan.
Every vote counts! For the budget to be approved, at least 60% plus one or more of voters must vote in favor of the plan.
Thoughtful Reductions to Preserve Student Programming
The district has already made approximately $4 million in reductions that are reflected in the budget proposal. Thoughtful reductions have been made in ways that minimize the impact to students. These include staffing reductions that reflect the district’s declining enrollment, as well as additional staffing reductions based on attrition and consolidation of programs.
What’s On the Ballot?
*Proposition No. 1 – School Budget Vote
Shall the School District Budget, in the amount of $180,751,423
pursuant to Education Law Section 1716, be approved, and a tax on
the taxable property of the District in the amount of such Budget, less
State and Federal Aid and revenues from other sources, be levied?
Proposition No. 2 – Capital Reserve for Technology
Shall the Board of Education, pursuant to Education Law Section
3651, be authorized to establish a Capital Reserve Fund known as the
“2024-2025 Capital Reserve for Technology” effective May 20, 2025,
in the ultimate amount of $1,271,251, including interest thereupon
for the purpose of financing the cost of implementation of and
improvements to the technology network systems within the District,
including the purchase and installation of upgrades and the purchase of
related access points, smart boards, computers and related instructional
equipment, and other technology upgrades, improvements, equipment
and hardware for a probable term of three years, funded by a transfer
of $1,243,739 from the Long Term Capital Reserve fund established
by the District on May 18, 2021, $13,370 from the Building
Improvements Capital Reserve fund established by the District in May
2014, $14,142 from the HVAC Capital Reserve established by the
District in May 2019, and undertake those specific projects during the
2025-2026 school year and to expend during the 2025-2026 school
year an amount not to exceed the estimated aggregate maximum cost
of $1,271,251, provided that the detailed costs of the components
of the improvements as set forth herein may be reallocated among
such components if the Board of Education shall determine that such
reallocation is in the best interests of the District.
Proposition No. 3 – Gregory Museum
In the event the voters approve the School District Budget contained
in Proposition No. 1 above, shall the sum of $60,000 be appropriated
to the Hicksville Gregory Museum for educational services associated
with its programs and a tax be levied on the taxable property of the
District in that amount? This Proposition is contingent upon approval by the voters of
Proposition No. 1.
Hicksville Public Library Vote
Once again, voters will be asked to vote on the Hicksville Public
Library budget and election of library board trustees at the same time
as the school district budget vote and trustee election. The Hicksville
Public Schools and the Hicksville Public Library are two separate
entities. The ballots for the library vote will be included in the voting
booth on the day of the school budget vote. The consolidation of
voting for the two entities represents a cost savings as well as a convenience to residents.
* If approved, Proposition No. 3 would add $60,000 to this figure.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: The proposed budget includes a 2.54% tax levy increase, exceeding
the tax levy cap and requiring a supermajority vote. If it fails, the revised
budget stays within the cap but carries a 3.35% tax levy increase. Why?
A: The Board chose to exceed the tax levy cap by $1.7 million to maintain
essential programs for students and strengthen the district’s long-term
finances. Additionally, $2,642,500 from the Reserve for Debt Service is being
used as revenue in the proposal, which is excluded from the tax levy cap. This
further increases available revenue.
Q: Why doesn’t the Board apply $2,642,500 from reserve debt service to
the budget while staying within the allowable tax levy cap?
A: This would not raise the needed revenue to balance the district’s budget,
resulting in a deficit of $1.7 million. This would result in cuts to staff, student
programs, sports and cocurricular activities.
Q: Why is a supermajority vote needed?
A: The proposed budget exceeds the district’s tax levy cap, even though the
associated tax levy increase is LOWER for residents than a cap-compliant
budget. Per New York State law, this requires a supermajority vote, meaning
that 60% plus one or more of voters need to vote in favor of the plan in order
for it to be approved.
VOTING INFORMATION
A voter shall be entitled to vote at any school meeting for the election of
school district trustees and school budget, and upon all other matters which
may be brought before such a meeting, who is:
• A citizen of the United States.
• A resident of the district for a period of 30 days preceding the meeting
at which he/she is to vote.
• 18 years of age or older.
• Currently registered with the school district or has voted in the general
election in the last four years.
ABSENTEE BALLOTS
Applications for absentee ballots may be obtained on the district website or at
the Office of the District Clerk at 200 Division Ave., any school day between
9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Completed applications must be received by the district
clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to
the voter. All absentee ballots must be returned to the District Office no later
than 5 p.m. on the day of the vote. Absentee ballots will be issued for those
reasons stated in the Education Law, Section 2018-A.
Budget Vote & BOE
Trustee Election
Tuesday
May 20, 2025
7 a.m.-9 p.m.
ELECTION DISTRICT
LOCATIONS AND
CONTACT INFO
Burns Avenue School:
516-733-2311
District No. 1
Dutch Lane School:
516-733-2361
District No. 6
East Street School:
516-733-2321
District No. 2
Fork Lane School:
516-733-2341
District No. 5
Lee Avenue School:
516-733-2351
District No. 4
Old Country Road School:
516-733-2301
District No. 7
Woodland School:
516-733-2331
District No. 3
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