Huntington board holds public hearing on $161 million 2026–27 budget; vote set for May 19

The Huntington Union Free School District Board of Education held a public hearing May 11 on the proposed $161,013,904 2026–27 budget, with district leaders saying the plan preserves core programs while relying on a proposed tax levy of $123,748,530.

“We will be presenting the budget and our public hearing,” the presenter said as the district reviewed the required budget notice that will be mailed to community homes. The notice, the presenter said, calls out the total budget amount and the proposed tax levy that taxpayers will see on the ballot.

The proposal divides spending into administrative, program and capital components. The district said the largest program costs are teacher and supervisor salaries and benefits, instructional supplies, athletics and transportation. The presentation also highlighted revenue sources: property taxes and state aid, with a slight reduction in state aid the district plans to offset in part with reserves and fund balance.

The district outlined a contingency budget scenario should voters reject the proposal. That contingent plan would reduce spending by $3,900,000, which the presenter warned could affect class sizes, staffing, transportation, nonmandated programs, athletics, fine arts and extracurricular activities. Under a contingency the district would also be required to remove certain equipment purchases, transfers to capital, professional development and contracted services, and to review reserves and appropriated fund balance for multi‑year impacts.

Superintendent Beth McCoy emphasized program continuity in the proposed budget, listing continued elementary summer school and a freshman seminar, ongoing device replacements, expanded computer science and cybersecurity offerings, and counseling and special‑education supports. She also described two ballot propositions: Proposition 1, the $161,013,904 operating budget, and Proposition 2, a capital reserve appropriation of $2,115,154 that the district says will not raise the tax levy or tax rate.

The district reminded voters the budget vote is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Huntington High School gymnasium. The superintendent noted the budget brochure may arrive late in mailboxes but is available online.

The board did not take a final budget vote at the meeting; the public hearing and the May 19 vote are the district’s next steps.