Next Tuesday, voters across Long Island will go to the polls to determine how much their school districts can spend in the 2025-26 school year and who will sit on their school boards.In all, about $16.36 billion in school spending is being proposed across Long Island, an increase of 3.68% from the current year. As reported in NEWSDAY, the amount collected in school property taxes is projected to rise by $224.65 million, or 2.3%. Many districts will also have propositions on their ballots, as they seek approval for infrastructure projects, property purchases and other initiatives. Some would raise taxes if approved. New York’s cap law took effect in 2012-13 to limit growth in property taxes. Under the cap, annual growth is limited to a baseline of 2% or the inflation rate, whichever is lower. Actual tax increases in individual districts can run higher or lower, however, depending on local financial circumstances.In Nassau and Suffolk, school taxation accounts on average for about two-thirds of homeowners’ tax bills.Dozens of school districts across Long Island are asking voters to approve multimillion-dollar propositions for items such as roof repairs, bathroom upgrades and the purchasing of property, among other improvement projects.***Residents across New York State will vote on their local school district's spending plans this coming Tuesday. About $16.36 billion in school spending is being proposed on Long Island for the 2025-26 school year, up 3.68% from the current year. Three districts are seeking approval to pierce their tax cap including Shelter Island which is calling for a 6.97% tax increase About 1 in 4 districts across Nassau and Suffolk have proposed cutting staff, citing declining student enrollment and rising costs. As reported in NEWSDAY, many districts will also have propositions on their ballots.In Montauk, the district is asking residents to consider a $38.4 million renovation proposal that would tackle the school’s aging infrastructure and outdated portable classrooms, while expanding its facilities. The plan would add a gymnasium, a science lab and outdoor classrooms, while also renovating rooms and other parts of the building.“We developed this project to not only repair the issues we have in the building but be proactive in our facilities management to set the district up for success for the future,” Montauk Superintendent Joshua Odom said.Odom said the overhaul was prompted after the district received a New York State designation of “unsatisfactory” in a required building condition survey.If the proposition is approved, the district will use $2.9 million from a reserve fund and issue a bond for the rest of the funding that will be financed for 20 to 25 years. The average homeowner would see an increase of about $37 a month in school property taxes, officials said.7:33am - 7:34amSouthampton Rotary Club's annual Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser is at Edgewater Restaurant in Hampton Bays from 4pm - 9pm this coming Monday; May 19, 2025.Contact a Rotary member or call for further info regarding this event to benefit the Rotary scholarship and endowment fund.631-723-2323***Most Long Island towns and villages saw modest population growth between 2023 and 2024, helping to reverse years of declining trends in the Northeast, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau released today. Tiffany Cusaac-Smith and Arielle Martinez report in NEWSDAY that experts say what’s fueling the estimated population growth is a confluence of factors that includes a modest rise in housing stock and an uptick in immigrants flocking to Northeast communities. But they warn that more housing is key for the trend to continue and expand and that changes in federal immigration policies might impact where people move.Southampton saw the highest jump among Long...

School district budget votes to be held this coming Tuesday