Garden City School Budget Preview, Candidates On Ballot For 2026-2027

GARDEN CITY, NY — Garden City residents are set to head to the polls on Tuesday, May 19, to vote on the budget, tax increase, and candidates.

Folks can vote from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Garden City High School Gymnasium.

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The 2026-2027 proposed budget is $142,385, an increase of 3.36 percent from the current 2025-2026 $137,760,845.

The budget carries a proposed tax levy increase, which equals an increase of 2.98 percent from the current 2025-2026 tax levy of $114,698,220. This amount remains in the district's allowable cap of 2.98 percent. The tax levy includes STAR, which is a school tax relief program offering property tax relief to eligible NYS homeowners.

Proposition II on the ballot will call to allow the district to use $13,685,000 in capital reserve funds and uncommitted capital funds to replace the roofs at the middle school, Hemlock, and the administration building. These funds will also go towards replacing windows at the middle school, with the window-replacement project also funded partially through a transfer to capital in the operating budget. The district said funds from the capital reserve are not part of the 2026-2027 budget, and that there will be no additional tax impact for residents if this proposition is approved.

Proposition III on the ballot will seek permission from the community to establish a capital reserve fund in an ultimate amount not to exceed $11 million. This will be used to finance future building renovations and infrastructure needs. Spending from this fund must be authorized by district residents. If this proposition is approved, there will be no impact on the budget or tax levy.

Voters will elect one candidate to the Trustees of the Board of Education. The terms will run for three years from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.

Elizabeth Gaffney is running for the school board unopposed.

The district broke down its budget, stating where they are looking to allocate funds. More information can be found in the district's budget information newsletter.

Budget Highlights:

• High school art equipment.
• Uniform replacement.
• 24/7/365 cybersecurity monitoring.
• STEAM materials.
• Support for the new Bloomberg Lab.
• Purchase of 3 buses and 2 vans as part of the district's vehicle replacement plan.

*Transfer to Capital Fund – the district is requesting $1.2 million to put towards:

• Replacing pole vault, high jump pads, and three backboards in the high school.
• Install permanent locks on lockers, add music storage, and repair and replace the roof in the middle school.
• Upgrade technology infrastructure, repair concrete, and more, districtwide.