The Patchogue-Medford School District released a $252,223,893 proposed 2026–2027 budget. The budget would increase taxes by 3.15 percent.
The proposed budget-to-budget appropriation increase of 2.83 percent, including an interfund transfer of $2,500,000 to capital projects. Also, it does not pierce the tax cap.
According to the district, the tax cap formula caps the tax levy, not the tax rate. Based on the formula established by New York State, dollar values of tax levies can differ from district to district.
“The budget we have developed reflects a careful and deliberate process that balances the educational needs of our students with our responsibility to the taxpayers who fund our schools,” said Patchogue-Medford School District interim superintendent Lori Cannetti. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to our Board of Education and all our administrators who played an integral role in developing this budget. This was a team effort that required dedication and a shared commitment to doing right by our students and our community.”
The proposed budget will include an interfund transfer for capital project including: bathroom upgrades at Patchogue-Medford High School, Medford Elementary School, and Barton Elementary School. The estimated cost is $1.5 million. The proposal also includes the outdoor abatement of soil and asbestos containing materials for Bay Elementary School. The estimated cost is $1 million.
The second proposition on the ballot is for the purposes of seeking community approval to expend $5 million from the capital reserve, which was established in 2022.
The South Country Central School District faces a financial crisis for the 2026-27 school year, with the board approving a $150.5 million budget proposal that includes a 13.45 percent tax levy increase to cover a projected $5.67 million shortfall.
This plan requires a 60 percent supermajority vote on May 19, because it exceeds the tax cap.New York State comptroller’s office released an audit report on the 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and proposed 2026-2027 budgets of the South Country School District. The proposed budget for next year and actual budget were compared and a budget deficit of approximately $8.7 million would be incurred based on the allocations for 2025-2026.
As the school district has no available surplus funds and staffing cuts and spending freezes have not been successful in replenishing the needed funds, the district reported a general fund balance deficit of $1.8 million as of June, 30, 2025. The state estimates a fiscal year-end deficit of $10.5 million. District officials affirmed that the district will need to borrow at least $6 million to balance the 2026-2027 budget.
“While deficit financing can provide immediate relief, any such borrowing would most likely increase the overall deficit and create future funding gaps due to reliance on debt to pay for operating expenses,” read the state audit.
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