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Hampton Bays Superintendent Lars Clemensen presents the budget numbers for the 2024-25 school year during the March 12 board of education meeting.
The Hampton Bays School District will be proposing a budget that is under the state’s cap on tax levy increases.
Superintendent of Schools Lars Clemensen said during a March 12 Board of Education meeting that what is anticipated to be a proposed $65,431,278 budget will come with a 2.2 percent tax levy increase, just under the allowable 2.26 percent.
That total spending plan is 2.88 percent, or $1,485,733, higher than the current school year’s budget. The average tax levy increase since 2010 has been 2.14 percent, and average year-to-year spending increase has been 2.32 percent.
What the superintendent said he’s most proud of is the fact that less and less of the budget has been balanced by the local stakeholders. In 2010, the local share was 88 percent, compared with 75 percent projected for next school year.
“That’s a result of advocacy,” Clemensen said of the increased state and federal funding. “That is a result of the Legislature’s commitment to fully fund foundation aid. And we want to keep it that way.”
Hampton Bays is one of very few districts to see a projected increase in state aid as part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s executive budget proposal. Hampton Bays is currently slated to see a 3.9 percent, or $588,031 rise in aid.
The goals with this budget, Clemensen said, are to live within the tax cap, preserve reserves and maintain successful programs, required staff, facilities and capital infrastructure.
Key factors driving the spending plan include a 7.58 percent, or $2,494,027, increase in instructional services and 6.4 percent increase, or $465,941, jump in general support services.
Two additional social workers have been hired to support the social emotional and mental health of students and the district will also be introducing middle school and junior varsity boys volleyball.
Transportation, capital and benefits spending will be decreasing 3.96 percent, or $943,930. This is due to the fact that pandemic-related funding was not covering recurring costs.
Enrollment, which is slowly declining, the superintendent said, will be monitored.
A second proposition on the ballot will be the authorization to use up to $300,000 in the district’s undesignated fund balance for repairs, renovations and upgrades to facilities and grounds.
Another budget workshop will be held April 16, and Clemensen said it is anticipated to be adopted at that time. A budget hearing will take place May 7 before the budget vote and trustee election May 21.
