Sewanhaka high school district’s proposed 2024-25 school budget

The Sewanhaka Central High School District’s proposed $255.7 million budget for the 2024-25 academic year will increase the tax levy by 2.47 percent, falling within the tax levy cap. The district is comprised of five high schools: H. Frank Carey, Elmont Memorial, Floral Park Memorial, New Hyde Park Memorial and Sewanhaka High School.

The proposed budget is a 4.5 percent increase or $11.1 million increase from this year’s budget, according to the district’s newsletter.

The budget is broken down into three major parts: administrative, program and capital.

The proposed overall administrative budget is $30.8 million, an approximate increase of $1.4 million from this year. The administrative budget accounts for costs associated with the education board, district clerk, superintendent’s office, curriculum department, legal department and other offices.

The proposed overall program budget is $193.3 million, an approximate increase of $7 million from this year.

Program enhancements include:

• Full implementation of social studies curriculum which allows for the acquisition of the state seal of civic readiness.
• Extension of dual enrollment course offerings.
• Implementation of phase two of the CTE Medical Assisting program which includes internships through PM Pediatrics.
• Continuation of STEM programs in grades seven through 12
• Implementation of a newly updated health curriculum in grades seven and 10.
• Implementation of an enhanced English Language Arts curriculum in grade 10.
• Implementation of the state science learning standards in Science 7, Science 8, biology, and Earth and Space.
• Implementation of a World Language curriculum focused on language acquisition.
• Continued professional development in the areas of literacy across content areas, co-teaching and diversity, equity and inclusion.

The proposed overall capital budget is $31.5 million, an approximate increase of $2.6 million from this year.

The capital improvement projects include:

• Bathroom renovations at Elmont Memorial near the guidance department. The high school will also receive a replacement of concrete sidewalk, the installation of a press box and exterior door replacement.
• Floral Park Memorial will receive exterior door replacement, a sidewalk installation in the courtyard, second-floor locker replacements by the elevator and a replacement of the northside perimeter fence.
• At Frank Carey, the library carpet will be replaced, a new gym ceiling will be installed, and the custodial parking lot will be replaced. Additionally, it will receive vacuum and condensate pump replacement, interior courtyard door replacement, perimeter fence replacement near the turf practice field and water heater replacement.
• New Hyde Park Memorial will receive exterior door replacement, library carpet replacement, vacuum and condensate pump replacement, and a replacement/extension of the small lot by the tennis courts.
• Sewanhaka High will receive masonry repairs, concrete replacement, science table installation and a renovation of the football tower.
• The Central Administration Office will receive HVAC replacement.

“I thank the community for their assistance in the construction of this budget,” said Interim Superintendent Thomas Dolan in a statement. “Delivering another budget that is below the tax levy cap, and still providing enhanced services to students is a difficult balancing act, but one we have achieved. I encourage the community to review the materials provided and to participate at their local polling place on May 21.”