DEER PARK, NY — Deer Park School District voters approved the district’s proposed $161,317,243 budget for the 2026-27 school year on Tuesday and elected two new members to the Board of Education.
The budget passed 631-195.
District officials said the approved spending plan represents a $7,997,135 increase over the current year’s budget, a 5.21 percent increase overall.
The district said the approved property tax levy totals $82,604,050, a 2.12 percent increase over the current year and within the state tax cap formula.
According to district projections, the tax rate will increase from $239.50 to $245.38 per $100 of assessed value. A home assessed at $3,500 would pay approximately $8,588 annually in school taxes.
District officials said state aid is projected at approximately $59.65 million, up from about $56.43 million this year.
Programs and initiatives supported in recent years include full-day prekindergarten, AP African American Studies, intramurals, investigative science kits, upgraded security cameras and additional bilingual classes at JFK Elementary School.
The district also outlined several planned projects and initiatives moving forward, including outdoor bathrooms and a concession stand at Deer Park High School, an outdoor basketball court at Robert Frost Middle School, leasing new buses and parking lot improvements at JFK Elementary School.
Board Of Education Election
Voters also elected candidates to two open seats on the Board of Education.
Alicia Freda, who ran unopposed for the seat held by trustee Al Centamore, received 547 votes.
Andrew Reina won the second open seat with 419 votes, defeating Valerie St. Bernard, who received 322 votes.
Centamore and trustee Donna Grulli Grunseich did not seek re-election.
District officials said election results remain unofficial pending certification by the district clerk.
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