Oyster Bay-East Norwich Schools Propose $69.4 Million Budget with 2.58% Tax Levy Increase

The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District unveiled a $69.4 million budget proposal for the 2026-2027 school year, representing a 2.3% increase from current spending levels, according to district officials.

Deputy Superintendent Maureen Raynor presented the $69,378,079 budget proposal at the board of education meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 25. The proposed budget marks a $1,587,018 increase from the district’s current $67,791,061 operating budget, Raynor said.

The district plans to implement a 2.58% tax levy increase to fund the budget, staying within the state-mandated tax levy limit of $61,435,317. This represents a $1,544,095 increase from the current tax levy, according to Raynor’s presentation.

Based on the district’s 2024-2025 student population of 1,310, the proposed budget would allocate approximately $52,960.37 per pupil, according to calculations by Schneps Media Long Island. This figure does not reflect how the state calculates its aid package for the school system.

“For 2026-2027, we have again been able to propose the budget that is within the allowable tax levy limit, not because costs have stabilized, but because a disciplined resource alignment has been applied,” Raynor said during the presentation.

The tax levy will comprise 89% of the proposed budget’s revenue, with state aid contributing 5% and reserves, fund balance, and other miscellaneous sources providing 6%, according to Raynor.

State funding for the district includes $1,977,171 in foundation aid, reflecting a 1% or $19,575 increase from the current budget. Total state aid will reach $4,202,558, marking a 2.56% or $104,927 increase from current levels, according to the state’s proposed 2026-27 budget.

The district anticipates more than $1.5 million in its year-end fund balance and plans to appropriate $1.5 million for the upcoming budget, consistent with previous years, Raynor said. Officials also plan to utilize $1 million from reserves and allocate an additional $1,949,094 for miscellaneous costs.

Budget expenditures will focus heavily on educational programs, with $53,076,702 or 76.5% designated for programs, $8,583,829 or 12.4% for administration, and $7,717,548 or 11.1% for capital expenses, according to Raynor’s breakdown.

“Administrative and capital percentages have declined while the program percentage has increased,” Raynor said. “This trend reflects the board’s goals and demonstrates the deliberate shift towards increasing program investment and reducing administrative and capital share.”

Personnel costs dominate the budget, with salaries for over 400 district employees totaling $34,715,710, representing 50% of total expenditures, Raynor said. Employee benefits, including healthcare, pension, social security, and insurance coverage, will account for 23% of the budget at $16,126,743.

Transportation costs will consume $5,167,200 or roughly 8% of the budget, while contracted services will require $4,955,174 or approximately 7%. The district will spend $3,510,649 on BOCES services, $2.3 million on debt service and tax anticipation, and $1,655,904 on facilities maintenance and improvements, according to Raynor.

Equipment and supplies will cost $796,699, and the district will transfer $150,000 to federal funds to support federally funded programs and mandated services, Raynor said.

The increases in salaries, benefits, transportation, and contracted services account for $1,577,918 of the overall budget increase, according to district calculations.

District officials emphasized their commitment to maintaining educational quality while managing costs responsibly. The budget aims to preserve small class sizes at the elementary level and continue supporting academic, athletic, and arts programs that serve the community’s 1,310 students.

The state budget, which affects district funding levels, must be finalized by April 1.