Commack School Budget Preview, Candidates On Ballot for 2026-2027

COMMACK, NY — Commack School District residents will head to the polls Tuesday, May 19, to vote on the district’s proposed $234,638,883 budget for the 2026-27 school year and elect members to the Board of Education.

District officials said the proposed budget carries a 2.03 percent tax levy increase, which matches the district’s allowable tax levy cap. The proposed spending plan represents a 0.69 percent increase over the current year’s budget.

The proposed budget includes a proposed tax levy of $162,489,599.

According to district budget documents, approximately 73.7 percent of spending would support program, teaching and learning expenses, including classroom instruction, transportation, special education services, classroom technology and student support services. Another 16.1 percent would fund capital and operational costs, while 10.2 percent would go toward administration and general management expenses.

District officials said the proposed spending plan maintains and enhances instructional programs while preserving the integrity of the district’s K-12 educational experience.

According to the district, the budget continues support for small class sizes, mental health programs, Lunch and Learn initiatives, agriculture education, athletics, music and arts programming, enrichment opportunities and robust elective offerings districtwide.

The district also highlighted several planned enhancements for the upcoming school year, including new “real life spaces” such as Discovery Dens, a Commack High School Living Lab, a School of Medicine Lab and a Visual Arts Lab. Additional initiatives include K-5 Digital Innovation Group Instruction Time, a new security vestibule at Commack Middle School, new intermediate-level inclusive playgrounds, infrastructure upgrades and additional touchscreen Chromebooks.

District officials said the budget also reflects strategic staffing adjustments designed to preserve student services while balancing the budget responsibly. According to the district presentation, several positions were absorbed through retirements and attrition, while non-mandated reductions and staffing restructuring were implemented across departments.

The proposed revenue plan includes approximately $51.77 million in state aid. The district also anticipates using $12.54 million in assigned fund balance and reserves to support the spending plan.

Board Of Education Election

Voters will also elect candidates to the Board of Education.

Incumbent Dr. William Hender is running for Seat 1. John Murray is also running for a Board of Education seat.

Hender, a longtime Commack resident and current Board of Education trustee, has served on the board for the past nine years. A graduate of Commack High School, he currently serves as Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education in the South Huntington School District.

In his candidate statement, Hender said his priorities include expanding opportunities for individualized instruction, fostering collaboration between the district and community and maintaining fiscal responsibility while advocating for increased state aid.

Murray, a retired Commack Middle School Lead Technology Teacher and former president of the Union of Commack’s Educators, said he hopes to bring nearly 60 years of community involvement and educational experience to the board.

In his candidate statement, Murray said his priorities include ensuring fiscal responsibility, addressing student and staff mental health needs and evaluating curriculum relevance to ensure students are prepared for the future.

Voting will take place from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Commack High School and Commack Middle School.