The New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District 2026-27 budget was unanimously approved and adopted by the school board on Monday,April 20. The proposed budget of $49,844,975 marked a $1,211,000 (2.49%) increase from the 2025-2026 school year.
The districtcomprises four elementary schools in Nassau County, serving about1,400 students.
Superintendent of Schools Jennifer Morrison-Raptis helped present the new budget plan to the board.
“The proposed 2026-to-2027 budget reflects our unwavering commitment to our students,” she said.
Morrison-Raptis said the budget increase includes staffing costs, special education investment and facility maintenance.
The budget will increase the school tax levy by 1.94%, which remains under the 2.08% tax cap. Deputy Superintendent Michael Frank said the school district is committed to keeping the tax levy increase low for community members.
“We came in below the cap and we were able to accomplish that out of respect to the community and trying to account for every dollar and understand how difficult it is to pay for things these days,” Frank said.
Frank shared data with the board that showed the increased tax levy would have each household paying, on average, an extra $77.02 a year.
Frank also said he thought that keeping the budget increase between 2% and 3% each year was the “sweet spot.” The average budget increase over the past 20 years at the school district has been 2.87%.
Frank said resignations, retirements and one-time purchases helped balance the budget. He also praised the “cost-conscious budget builders” who helped in the process, keeping the costs low for community members.
Source: LI Press
