Cunningham said that the district was already hit hard by the fact that BOCES is leaving one of the district’s buildings, and even though there is a plan to lease part of that building, the district is losing a large revenue stream. Adding to the district’s financial challenges is the fact that more and more students from Island Park, which does not have a high school, are opting to attend Long Beach High School rather than West Hempstead High.

“We are going to have to take a long look at the expense side of the budget in upcoming meetings,” Cunningham said. “There is a sensitivity to taxes that we have to honor.”

The date of the next budget meeting, he added, has been changed to Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the middle school.

“This is going to be a particularly difficult process,” he concluded, urging residents to come and be heard.