Three Village board sets revised budget, fixes capital at $2.5M; tax levy to rise 3.49%

The Three Village Central School District Board of Education on May 29 approved revised budget parameters for the June 16 revote, setting a total budget of $243,390,092, a capital line of $2,500,000 and a tax levy of $185,217,549 — a 3.49% year‑over‑year increase.

Administration told the board the district received about $290,000 more in foundation aid in the final New York state budget than had been assumed in the governor’s proposal; that increase was incorporated into the revised plan. "In the final state budget... every district getting a minimum of 2% increase in foundation aid," Mr. Carlson said when outlining the fiscal effects. The administration modeled multiple scenarios and warned that if the budget fails again the district would shift to a contingency budget with no tax-levy increase and roughly $5.7 million in additional cuts.

Superintendent Dr. Scanlon framed the stakes: "This is going to have an impact on the District in many ways," he told trustees, saying the proposed reductions would be felt across programs and student services. The administration recommended a mix of reductions — including further cuts to administration, adult education, some capital projects, co-curricular clubs, field trips and the community swim program — while preserving required contract minima for activities.

Board discussion focused on where to balance tax relief and long‑term maintenance needs. Trustees who favored restoring the full $3,000,000 capital allocation argued that delaying work raises safety and replacement costs, citing deferred projects such as cupola repairs at Setauket and other long‑deferred repairs. Trustees favoring a lower levy emphasized voter concern about taxes after the budget defeat earlier this season.

Under the compromise the board adopted, administration will return with proposals to find an additional $200,000 in reductions before the formal budget hearing. Mr. Carlson noted that with capital at $2.5 million and the other recommended reductions, the budget‑to‑budget increase would be about 2.2% while the tax‑levy increase would be 3.49%.

The board approved the numbers by voice vote and moved to adjourn. The budget revote is set for Tuesday, June 16, with polling open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; early voting remains available. If voters reject the revised budget the district would be required to adopt a contingency budget, which administration said would force much deeper cuts to programs and services.

The board asked staff to return at the next meeting with a detailed plan identifying the additional $200,000 in reductions and any implementation timelines for capital projects.