The Great Neck School District began its budget presentations at its board of education meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10, highlighting a plan that proposed a tax levy of $251,645,000 – a 3.04% increase over the current year.
Deputy Superintendent John O’Keefe said the proposed increase falls within the state’s tax cap formula. The allowable increase represents approximately $7.4 million over the 2025–26 levy of $244,222,000.
O’Keefe said the projected increase includes the district’s allowable 2% growth factor, a tax-based growth factor that adds approximately $1.9 million, and adjustments to the capital levy tied to debt service payments and state building aid reimbursements, which account for roughly $1.4 million of the increase.
“It only requires a simple majority vote,” O’Keefe said.
The district does not anticipate exceeding the cap through tax or expenditure-based exclusions this year.
O’Keefe also addressed payments in lieu of taxes, stating that while the district receives those payments from certain entities, state law requires that the funds be deducted from the tax levy.
“Yes, we do receive that money, but the law requires us to then deduct it from the levy,” O’Keefe said. “We can’t receive it from one entity and take it from the taxpayer.”
The total projected capital expenditures for the upcoming year are $12,358,000, which reflects ongoing facility needs, infrastructure upgrades and debt service obligations across the district. O’Keefe noted that minor adjustments could occur before the final budget is adopted.
Voters previously approved a $289,998,600 budget for the 2025–26 school year. The district is projected to serve approximately 6,600 students, totaling $43,939.18 in per-pupil spending.
In addition to financial budget planning, trustees heard an update on efforts to align science programming between Great Neck North and Great Neck South high schools.
Source: LI Press
