Sayville proposes $96.9 million academic budget

Sayville School District, like many other districts across the country, was last year forced to redirect funds from other sources of its annual budget to ensure the health and safety of students, staff and the community amid the pandemic.

According to district documents, roughly $2 million was spent on protective equipment, disinfectant materials and equipment, technology, services and transportation from March 2020 to February 2021.

However, with the passage of the New York State budget and additional federal funds being allocated to public schools, Sayville School District will have sufficient aid to build upon its programs for students.

Despite the difficulties from the pandemic, the district has proposed a $96.9 million budget for the 2021-2022 academic year, which voters will approve or reject on May 18.

The board of education adopted the proposed budget at the March 11 budget meeting. This year’s budget represents a spending increase of $769,750 – under 1 percent from last year’s budget, according to district documents.

“As your board of education, we know that the entire Sayville community has faced very difficult times during this pandemic,” the board wrote in a letter sent to district residents. “We are here, working for you and your children, and we are beginning to see our collaborative successes as all our students return for in-person instruction. As your board of education, we appreciate your continued support to ensure that the best education programs and opportunities are provided for our students.”

The proposed budget has an increase on the tax rate of 0.61, which is at the tax levy cap. For the average home assessed at $40,000 in the district, there’s an estimated increase of $48 per year, or $4 per month, prior to reimbursements.

Sayville divides its budget into three main categories: administration at $9 million, capital at $15.9 million, and program at $71.9 million.

The majority of expenditures, approximately $38 million, will be directed toward professional salaries. About 22 percent of expenditures will go toward fringe benefits, or additional benefits supplementing employee salaries. Additional expenditures include non-certified salaries ($11.9 million), transportation ($4.4 million), contractual ($6.2 million), debt service ($4.6 million) and BOCES services ($6.2 million). Textbooks, supplies, capital construction and equipment are all smaller, additional expenditures.

“[The budget] will continue to invest in technology infrastructure and resources, preserve current staffing levels, and ensure that health-and-safety protocols remain in place for our students, staff, and community,” a district statement read.

The majority of the district’s revenues will be directed from property taxes. Approximately $61.4 million, or 63 percent of the budget, will come from property taxes. An estimated 27.2 percent of the budget, or $26.4 million, will come from New York State aid. Other income comes from investments, payment in lieu of taxes and applied fund balance.

A public vote on Sayville Historical Society and the Sayville Library budgets will also appear on this year’s ballot. The library is proposing a roughly $4 million budget, while the Historical Society is proposing a $51,100 budget.

Sayville schools hosted a public hearing on the budget on Tuesday, May 11. All voters are encouraged to attend to get additional information.