The Port Washington Board of Education welcomed 28 teachers to the school district while also saying goodbye to 18 retirees, before shifting focus to a public hearing on the district’s proposed 2026–27 budget and a series of community concerns.
Board President Adam Smith brought the meeting back to order after the break, transitioning from an earlier tenure and retirement celebration to district business.
Superintendent Gaurav Passi outlined a proposed $205.8 million budget that district leaders described as fiscally responsible and aligned with student needs. The plan includes a 3.25% tax levy increase, remaining within New York State’s cap, while supporting staffing, instructional programs and facility upgrades.
“This is a fiscally sound plan that reflects careful planning and is designed to meet the needs of students across all schools,” Passi said. He noted that the proposal includes “targeted program enhancements” and continued investment in infrastructure.
Assistant Superintendent of Business Kathleen Manuel said the district developed the budget amid uncertainty at the state level, as lawmakers have yet to finalize a state spending plan.
“The governor and Legislature have not yet reached an agreement on the state budget,” she said. “There are early signals that foundation aid will remain in a similar overall range, although we are still hopeful for an increase.”
Passi said the district used the most recent available projections when building the budget and emphasized that two additional propositions on the May 19 ballot would not increase taxes. One would establish a repair reserve for unexpected costs, while the other would allow the district to use existing capital reserve funds for electrical and HVAC upgrades.
“Both propositions are funded through existing reserves and available fund balance and would have no additional tax impact on residents,” Passi said.
Passi said the repair reserve would help address unforeseen issues, such as equipment failures, without disrupting planned spending. The capital reserve measure would fund upgrades to aging building systems, including heating and ventilation infrastructure.
During the public comment portion of the hearing, several residents raised concerns about student services and district policies. One speaker called for expanded access to specialized literacy instruction for students with dyslexia, arguing that effective interventions should be available within the district rather than relying on private services.
Source: LI Press
