Local school board elections and budget votes are Tuesday, May 19.
School votes and board of education elections give residents a direct role in shaping local public education, from how tax dollars are spent to who sets district policy.
Each spring, school districts across New York present proposed budgets outlining spending on instruction, staffing, transportation, facilities and extracurricular programs. Because these budgets rely heavily on state aid and local property taxes, voter approval is required. If a budget is rejected, districts may submit a revised proposal or adopt a contingency budget, which typically limits spending increases and can affect programs and services.
Residents also elect members of their boards of education. Trustees are unpaid volunteers responsible for overseeing district operations, hiring and evaluating the superintendent, and setting longterm priorities. Terms are typically staggered to ensure continuity while allowing for new representation.
Voter turnout for school elections is often lower than in general elections, though the results can significantly affect class sizes, academic offerings and local taxes. Contested races frequently highlight issues such as curriculum, fiscal management and school safety.
Following are details about school districts in the area:
The Amityville School District is proposing a $123.96 million budget for the coming school year, a 2.63 percent increase, or $3.18 million, over the current $120.77 million budget. The proposed spending plan is within the state tax cap.
The current school tax rate is $214.40 per $100 of assessed value in the Town of Babylon and $1,026.04 in the Town of Oyster Bay. District officials said updated tax rates for the coming year will not be available until the fall.
State aid is projected at $47.58 million for 2026-27, up from $45.73 million this school year.
The district serves approximately 2,678 students, employs 256 teachers and maintains five school buildings.
Source: Massapequa Post
