The Floral Park-Bellerose Board of Education voted to adopt a $41,895,636 budget.
The budget is $1,535,961 (3.81%) above last year’s budget, and district officials said it includes a 1.93% tax levy increase over last year.
According to thebudget presentation, this represents a $540,126 increase in the total levy, which translates to a $110 increase in yearly taxes, or about $9 per month in household school taxes, based on average home values.
When compared to the 2024/2025 school year enrollment, the most recent available figures from theNew York Department of Education, the district is projected to spend around $29,000 per student.
District residents can vote on the budget on May 19.
“Our goal throughout the process is to develop a budget that is data-driven, student-focused and aligned with the Board of Education’s goals,” Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Christine Kim said. “We are working to identify efficiencies and cost controls wherever possible, while maintaining programs, services and staffing that support the student success that we’ve received to date.”
Kim said revenue projections of state aid are not yet final, as they are subject to the state Legislature’s passing Gov. Kathy Hochul’s state budget proposal. Lawmakers were supposed to approve the bill by April 1, but are still negotiating.
She said the amount of state aid projected for the district has decreased by over $250,000 since initial projections, due to the state’s calculation, which considers prior-year enrollment.
State aid projections are still increasing over last year, according to the presentation.
Kim said employee salaries and benefits are the district’s largest expenses, accounting for 78% of the budget.
Source: LI Press
