East Meadow School District voters approved a nearly $286.8 million budget for the 2026-27 school year on Tuesday, while two incumbent Board of Education trustees were re-elected in an uncontested race.
The budget passed by a vote of 1,279 to 436, according to results released by the district. The spending plan represents a $15.5 million, or 5.71 percent, increase over the current year’s budget.
Board President Jessica Ricco-Simeone and Trustee David Carl were both re-elected to new three-year terms. Ricco-Simeone received 1,115 votes, while Carl received 1,056 votes.
The approved budget carries a 2.86 percent tax levy increase, which remains within the district’s allowable limit under the state’s tax cap formula. The levy will total about $166.1 million, an increase of roughly $4.6 million from the current year.
District officials said the spending increase was driven largely by rising costs for employee benefits, special education, transportation and insurance. Special education is projected to rise by about $2.1 million, insurance by roughly $2.6 million and transportation by about $1.28 million, according to a district presentation.
State aid is expected to increase by about $724,000, or 0.76 percent, while Foundation Aid is projected to remain flat at $67.6 million. Universal Pre-K funding is expected to decline by more than $430,000.
Ricco-Simeone, a lifelong Salisbury resident and educator, and Carl, an East Meadow resident and attorney, were first elected to the board in 2023.
Ahead of the election, Ricco-Simeone expressed gratitude to the East Meadow community and spoke highly of district accomplishments during her first term. “My work here is not finished,” she said.
The East Meadow Public Library’s budget also passed by a vote of 1,246 to 423. Library trustee Monica Marotta was elected with 1,160 votes.
