School district budget votes will be here before you know it. The Islip Bulletin compiled everything you need to know about the proposed 2024-2025 budget for your district. Learn about the potential tax increase, staff changes, and additional propositions on your district’s ballot, before you vote.

East Islip School District

The East Islip Union Free School District will be holding its annual budget vote and board of education election on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The proposed 2024-25 totals to $126,053,938.43, which is a mere 0.23 percent increase compared to the adopted 2023-24 budget. The budget retains all existing programs and services.

The proposed tax levy of $75,825,241 is a 1.5 percent increase from the previous year. For an average homeowner of a home assessed at $40,000, the new tax levy creates a $119 increase annually, or about $10 per month.

Minor staff changes will be implemented, as the East Islip School District opted not to replace some retirees due to a decrease in student enrollment.

The proposed budget sets aside funds for the installation of additional indoor and outdoor security cameras, and updating infrastructure such as HVAC systems, air conditioning and classroom/building maintenance. The district will also initiate cybersecurity measures to protect district technology and data such as multi factor authentication, network upgrades and cybersecurity updates to support technological infrastructure.

In addition to voting to adopt the budget, East Islip residents will also vote on a proposition to establish a capital reserve. This reserve would set aside monies specifically earmarked for future capital improvement projects, such as major system upgrades (mechanical, electric, plumbing, etc.), interior and exterior building renovations, and site work. If approved, this would be funded incrementally over the next 10 years, with annual contributions not to exceed $3,000,000, and the total amount contributed not to exceed $30,000,000.

Islip School District

A public hearing will be held for the proposed 2024-25 budget in the Islip High School auditorium at 7 p.m. on May 13. The budget vote and board of education election will take place on May 21 in the Islip High School Gymnasium from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The proposed 2024-25 budget totals $100,075,388, which is an increase of 3.57 percent compared to the current 2023-24 budget.

A minor increase is observed in the proposed budget’s tax levy, as an increase of 1.96 percent brings the 2024-25 tax levy to $66,950,783. For an average single-family house in the district, taxpayers can expect to pay $9,384.33 (w/ STAR) annually, or about an increase of $15 per month.

Staff changes within the district are minimal under the proposed budget. One social studies teacher in the district in his first year will not be returning due to enrollment decreases and class size. A leave replacement in English that also will not be returning for the same reason, and there is a .5 reduction in a technology teacher.

All programs and services will be maintained under the new budget.

Bay Shore School District

A budget hearing and meet the board of education candidates night will be held on Monday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m. The Bay Shore School District Budget Vote will be held Tuesday, May 21, in the Bay Shore High School gymnasium. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The 2024-25 proposed budget totals to $197,418,192, a 1.4 percent increase from the adopted 2023-24 budget.

Under the proposed 2024-25 budget, the school tax paid on an average single-family home will increase by about $200 annually, or about $16.7 per month. The property tax levy is increasing to $117,889,085, a 2.2 percent increase compared to the previous year.

The creation of additional sections of Special Education classes will result in  a minor increase of support personnel due to rising enrollment. Under the proposed budget, all current programming and services will continue to be offered, and special education programs and services will expand.

The proposed 2024-25 budget allots for a $5,300,000 inter-fund transfer to capital, which will fund boiler replacements in up to five buildings, partial roof replacement at the high school, and additional cornice reconstruction at the high school.

West Islip School District

The budget vote and board of education election will be held on Tuesday, May 21, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the West Islip High School gymnasium.

The proposed 2024-2025 budget totals to $138,761,990, reflecting a 3.38 percent increase compared to the 2023-24 budget.

The proposed 2024-2025 tax levy is $93,402,547, which is a 1.44 percent increase compared to last year. If approved, an average assessed home will experience an increase of $149.78 per year, or about $12.50 a month.

While teaching positions are not being cut, the district will be absorbing teaching positions for some retiring teachers, including 18 aide positions and five teaching assistant positions. Yet, a number of different staff positions will grow upon the budget’s approval, such as an additional ENL teacher, a new speech therapist, and a new special ed teacher at the middle school.

The district will continue to offer all current programming during the school year, with the exception of the elimination of the high school summer school program and middle school summer academy.

The 2024-25 budget includes an inter-fund transfer of about $1.3 million to capital for several projects, including paving, sidewalks, and parking lot spaces around the district.

A proposition for use of capital reserves will be included on the ballot to fund phase one of boiler burner control replacements and an orchestra room renovation. The $600,000 boiler burner control replacements would authorize the replacement of the boiler control systems in the worst condition throughout the district. The renovation of the Udall Road Middle School orchestra room to level the slanted floor has an estimated cost of $260,000.

The capital reserve proposition has a total “not-to-exceed” authorization of $860,000. If approved, any unspent funds would be returned to the capital reserve.