Budget Vote Set For May 17; School Tax Levy Increases Of More Than 2%

WANTAGH-SEAFORD, NY — School budgets will be up for a vote on Tuesday, May 17.

In the Wantagh Union Free School district, the proposed budget totals just under $85 million. That is a $2.225 million, or 2.69 percent, increase.

The tax levy is at more than $63 million, a 2.1 percent increase from the previous year.

Additionally, the district is expected to receive an additional $850,000 in state aid. This represents a 4.6 percent increase in this revenue source over the prior year, the district said.

In Seaford, the proposed $77,396,951 budget carries a 2.45 percent tax levy increase, which, the district said, is below the district’s allowable tax cap.

The overall budget of $77 million is $3 million above last year's budget, a 3.5 percent hike.

Among the planned upgrades in the budget, is bathroom renovations at Harbor Elementary School. The district is also proposing using money from capital reserve funds for athletic field upgrades.

Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Harbor and Manor schools, while in Wantagh, voting is planned for the elementary schools.