Cold Spring Harbor board presents $80.7 million 2024–25 budget, outlines three propositions for May 21 vote

The Cold Spring Harbor Central School District presented a proposed $80,699,000 spending plan for 2024–25 and outlined three ballot propositions at a required public hearing held before the board May meeting. “We ended the budget with $80,699,000,” Miss Costa said as she walked through revenues, expenditures and contingency calculations.

The proposal is an increase of $3,558,000, or 4.61% over the prior year. The administration is proposing a tax levy of $70,685,000 — an increase of $1,127,000, or 1.62% — which the presenter described as the district’s maximum allowable levy for the year. The hearing illustrated that property taxes are expected to provide roughly 88% of the district’s revenues.

Why it matters: the budget funds instruction, extracurriculars, athletics, and facility maintenance across roughly 500,000 square feet of district property. The administration said the request maintains small elementary class sizes, continues security initiatives and supports athletics programs, including a new girls’ flag football team.

Key details presented

• Universal prekindergarten: the budget would start a universal pre-K program with two classes of 18 students each.

• Instructional models: an integrated co‑teaching model at the elementary level (grades 2–6) is included, with an estimated seven sections across Lloyd Harbor and Westside.

• Contingent budget calculations: the presenter explained the state-required three-part budget and contingent-budget process (the plan if voters do not approve the proposed budget). She identified roughly $650,000 of equipment purchases that would not be allowable under a contingent budget and an administrative-component reduction of about $694,000; after all required reductions the district calculated a revised levy of $68,992,000, which the presenter said remains below last year’s levy.

• Ballot propositions: Proposition 1 is the spending plan ($80,699,000). Proposition 2 would authorize a $1,951,500 expenditure from Capital Reserve 3 for a traffic signal at the high school, building air conditioning work and electrical/ventilation upgrades. Proposition 3 would establish Capital Reserve 5 — a 15‑year vehicle with a $15,000,000 maximum that would not be funded immediately but could be used in future years if surpluses allow.

• Board seats: two three-year trustee seats appear on the May 21 ballot; the district named the three candidates appearing in the order they will be listed.

Administration emphasized that budget detail by code and supporting documents are available on the district website and encouraged voters to consult those resources ahead of the May 21 vote.

The board did not take a formal vote on the spending plan at the hearing; the public vote is scheduled for May 21 at the district field house.