The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District presented the final proposed budget for the 2026-27 school year last week, outlining a spending plan that district officials said preserves core academic programs while remaining below the state tax cap.
The budget totals roughly $69.4 million, an increase of about $1.59 million, or 2.34 percent, over the current spending plan. The proposed tax levy increase, 2.58 percent, is below the district’s allowable limit.
“The ’26-27 budget does maintain the programs and opportunities our community values most,” Maureen Raynor, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, said at the Board of Education meeting on March 24. “It preserves small class sizes at the elementary level, sustains our arts and music programs and maintains all athletic and extracurricular activities and protects all the academic course offerings.”
In addition to the operating budget, the board reviewed planned capital and technology investments that would be funded by reserve accounts rather than the general operating budget. The district is proposing the use of $980,000 from the capital reserve and $495,000 from the technology reserve for those projects in the coming year. They include auditorium rigging renovations and the replacement of the water heater at the high school, new air conditioning for the Vernon Elementary School gym and new playground equipment designed for younger students.
One of the most discussed projects at the meeting was a new pre-kindergarten playground at the Theodore Roosevelt School. Board members asked for clarification on the need for the project, and Raynor explained that the current facility no longer meets students’ needs.
“The current playground at T.R. was designed when it was a [kindergarten to second grade] building with only a half-day program, which had no recess,” she said. “Now that we have four full-day classes that do have lunch and recess, they need a safe space.”
Other proposed capital work includes the abandonment of an unused oil tank at the Roosevelt School, which has converted from oil to gas heating.
As part of the district’s multi-year technology plan, kindergarten through second-grade students would receive new tablets.
The board also discussed the expiration of the district’s current capital reserve fund on June 30. If approved by trustees, voters will see a proposition on the May 19 ballot to establish a new reserve fund with a 15-year term, annual funding of up to $2 million and a maximum balance of $25 million. Raynor stressed that the May vote would authorize only the creation and funding of the reserve, not specific projects. Each future use of the money, she explained, would require separate board approval and a separate community vote.
District Superintendent Francesco Ianni addressed several questions that were raised at previous meetings, including concerns about projected kindergarten enrollment and the transfer of existing capital reserve funds into the new account.
Ianni said the district is currently projecting five kindergarten sections in 2026-27, with 82 students already enrolled and the potential for additional registrations over the summer.
“If that number changes in kindergarten, then we’ll evaluate and bring it up during the summer meetings,” he said.
Board trustees praised the administration for maintaining fiscal stability at a time when many Long Island districts are facing difficult financial choices. Board President Nancy Castrogiovanni noted that neighboring districts have considered overriding the tax cap, cutting staff and increasing class sizes.
“I’m incredibly proud to say tonight that Oyster Bay finds itself in an advantageous position that we don’t have to do those things,” Castrogiovanni said.
Board Vice President Maryann Santos added that the district has managed to remain fiscally responsible while maintaining its educational standards and improving facilities.
“Our students still get their entire program,” Santos said, “and we’re not faced, as Miss Castrogiovanni just said, with the dilemma of our neighboring districts.”
The district’s next key budget dates include the adoption of the spending plan on April 21, a public hearing on May 5 and the annual budget vote and Board of Education election on May 19.
Ianni said that all budget materials, including presentations and voter information, are available on the district website, OBENSchools.org and through BoardDocs.
