Uniondale BOE proposes 2% tax increase in attempt to avoid cuts
Administrators warn that without exceeding the tax cap and passing the budget, programs and services could be significantly reduced.
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The Uniondale Board of Education is proposing a tax increase as part of its nearly $300 million budget.
District officials presented the proposal to the public during a budget hearing at Uniondale High School, saying they may need to pierce the state’s tax cap to avoid what they describe as devastating cuts.
Administrators warn that without exceeding the tax cap and passing the budget, programs and services could be significantly reduced.
Uniondale is one of four school districts on Long Island seeking to pierce the tax cap, allowing property tax increases above the state-imposed limit. The other districts are Shelter Island, Bayport-Blue Point and Lynbrook.
“We believe this is responsible. It’s a lean budget that acknowledges our community’s fiscal reality while ensuring our students remain supported,” said Uniondale Superintendent Monique Darrisaw-Akil.
District leaders say state aid is expected to increase by only about 1%, largely because of declining enrollment. At the same time, officials point to rising costs for insurance, transportation and mandated charter school payments.
If approved, the proposed tax increase would be about 2%, which district officials estimate would cost homeowners roughly $121 more per year.
The district is also hoping for additional state aid once New York’s budget is finalized.
“The state has not finished the budget yet, so districts are in limbo in terms of how much aid they can expect, and this is a district that relies heavily on that funding,” said Michael Cohen, former superintendent of the Brentwood School District.
Despite that, some residents worry the financial burden will keep growing.
“People want to retire in this community, and it’s going to make it very hard if every year or every couple of years, we’re piercing the cap,” said Kristal Simms-Murphy of North Baldwin.
The Uniondale school budget vote will take place on Tuesday, May 19.
