Proposed Shoreham-Wading River budget would preserve programs, fund 50–60 smart‑board replacements; vote set for May 21

Business Administrator Glenn Acuri told the Shoreham‑Wading River Central School District Board on April 2 that the proposed 2024–25 budget "maintains all programs, maintains current class size," and includes a $1,676,920 transfer to the capital fund to cover priority building‑condition work and technology replacements.

Why it matters: Acuri said the proposed spending plan reflects a 4% year‑over‑year increase — "Dollars 3,389,104 increase" — but that without the one‑time capital transfer the year‑to‑year increase would be about 2.02%. The transfer is funded by prior‑year state‑aid revenues the district recovered, Acuri said, and would allow the district to replace approximately 50–60 interactive smart boards and address electrical infrastructure priorities identified in the District’s building condition survey.

The plan and the vote timeline: Acuri reviewed contingency planning in the event the state’s budget is not adopted. He told the board the state legislature had missed its April 1 deadline for adopting a state budget, leaving the district’s final state‑aid numbers in limbo and requiring the district to present a budget using the most recent state figures. The Board is scheduled to consider adoption of the proposed 2024–25 budget on April 16; if adopted there, the district would present the spending proposition to voters on May 21 in the high‑school gymnasium.

Revenue and offsets: The presentation used state‑aid estimates released Jan. 16, 2024 (Acuri cited $16,886,957 for Shoreham) and listed other revenue lines including pilot payments, adult‑education tuition and a new student‑fee line tied to chaperone costs for certain field trips. Acuri said that if adopted state aid comes in lower than the figures used in the presentation, the district would make up the shortfall by increasing use of appropriated fund balance or reserves rather than changing the expenditure budget.

Contingent‑budget rules and practical effects: Acuri described the contingent‑budget requirement that the tax levy be no larger than last year’s levy and that certain items (equipment funding, transfer to capital) would have to be removed. He provided an illustrative contingent budget total of $85,056,717 and named required contingent reductions (equipment reduction about $970,583, transfer reductions noted on the slide). He said the district historically takes a conservative, transparent approach to contingent budgets and would present fuller detail only if a second vote becomes necessary.

Operations and programs: The proposed budget includes restoring middle‑school clubs (seven new clubs noted), funding for new high‑school course offerings (digital literacy, pre‑AP world history and geography, writing lab and writing center, and a cyber security elective), additional cameras and infrastructure work, library and classroom furniture, robotics equipment and a Yamaha upright piano for the high school. Acuri said the district would aim for smart‑board installations to be completed by the start of the next school year if voters approve the budget.

Board questions: A board member asked whether the district would attempt to salvage old smart boards; Acuri responded the district expects to recycle obsolete equipment through a vendor at no cost and to receive a certificate of recycling. Board members also asked for clarification on who would use the proposed writing lab (Acuri and district staff described the lab as a scheduled class for students identified with writing gaps and the writing center as an open resource during lunch).

What’s next: The board will be asked to adopt the expenditure proposition on April 16; the revenue assumptions will be revisited after the state adopts its budget, and the public budget vote is scheduled for May 21. Acuri said that if adopted state aid comes in higher, the district could reduce the levy or reserves; if state aid is lower, reserves or appropriated fund balance would be used to plug any shortfall.

Quotes: "2425 proposed budget highlights maintains all programs, maintains current class size, includes a transfer to capital fund budget line," Acuri said during his presentation. He later summarized top‑line changes: "percent increase 4% year over year. Dollars 3,389,104 increase."

Ending: The board took no final action on the budget at the April 2 meeting; procedural votes and routine personnel items were approved and the Board is scheduled to act on the proposed 2024–25 budget at its April 16 meeting with the public vote set for May 21.