Manhasset board previews $118.95 million 2026–27 budget and plans $1.7M capital-reserve ballot item

The Manhasset Board of Education on March 26 reviewed a proposed $118,948,591 budget for the 2026–27 school year and agreed to place a $1.7 million capital-reserve proposition on the ballot.

Gerard (district business official) presented the plan and said the proposal represents a roughly $3.9 million increase from the current year and "remains within our tax levy limit, 3.44%." He told the board the formal budget adoption is scheduled for April 16, a formal hearing will be held May 7, and the annual vote is set for May 19 at the high school gymnasium from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The capital proposition would authorize spending $1,700,000 from the district's roughly $7 million capital reserve "at no additional cost to the taxpayers," Gerard said. He listed intended projects that include gymnasium renovations (new padding, audio), staff and student bathroom repairs, classroom painting and ceiling work, unit-ventilator replacements, common-area conversions, and districtwide security upgrades including license-plate readers at elementary sites.

The presentation also covered enrollment projections used in the budget. Gerard reported kindergarten registrations as of March 25 of 42 students at Muncie Park and 43 at Shelter Rock, with outstanding packet requests and modest projected additions; those figures informed the district's section calculations for kindergarten in the proposed budget.

Board members and administrators flagged longer-term cost pressures for the 2027–28 outlook, including transportation contract negotiations, rising retirement-system contributions and projected health-insurance increases. Gerard said the district will begin MASPA contract negotiations and continue monitoring grant prospects to offset expenses.

The board discussed voter outreach: Gerard noted a League of Women Voters candidate forum on May 11 (middle school and library) and urged turnout for the May 19 vote.

Votes at a glance: the board approved routine items during the meeting by unanimous votes, including approval of prior meeting minutes (5–0), the personnel schedule (5–0), and the consent agenda (5–0). No final action on the 2026–27 budget occurred at this informal hearing; formal adoption is planned for April 16.

What’s next: the district will hold the formal budget hearing on May 7 and present the budget for adoption on April 16 ahead of the May 19 districtwide vote.