Sunday, May 18, 2025
The Rockville Centre School District has finalized a proposed $139.89 million budget for the 2025–2026 school year, featuring a 2.6 percent tax levy increase and a 1.63 percent overall spending increase. The plan, adopted by the Board of Education at the preliminary budget hearing on April 10, includes facility upgrades and expanded academic offerings while staying within the state’s tax cap. A final public hearing is scheduled for May 8, with the budget vote and Board of Education election set for May 20.
Under the proposed budget, the average assessed home in Rockville Centre is expected to see an annual property tax increase of about $319, or 2.25 percent. Voters will also weigh in on the Rockville Centre Public Library’s budget and two open library board seats. Registration to vote is open through May 15, and absentee ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on May 20. Budget details and related materials will be available on the district’s website and in schools starting April 22.
Administrative Component
The administrative portion of the budget, which accounts for about 8.8 percent of overall spending, will see a $289,763 increase, or 2.41 percent, over the current year. A major driver of this rise is a 15 percent jump in insurance premiums, including the addition of a $65,000 excess cyber insurance policy.
The administrative budget funds general district operations, including business administration, legal services, curriculum development, employee benefits for administrative staff and Board of Education functions such as the annual election and budget vote.
Academic Programs
The academic program component makes up the largest portion of the budget — just under 79 percent — and is set to increase by $1.8 million, or 1.71 percent. The most significant cost driver is transportation, which will rise by nearly $1 million. The district was able to partially offset this increase through savings from retirements and staffing changes.
This section of the budget includes teacher and supervisor salaries and benefits, classroom instruction, co-curricular activities, athletics, professional development and transportation services. It also supports several expanded in-school and after-school offerings such as AP Cybersecurity, AP Human Geography, fashion marketing, Unified Theater and Unified Bowling, IB Dance and a new varsity field hockey team.
Capital Component
The capital component, which includes the upkeep and improvement of school facilities, will rise by 0.63 percent, or approximately $108,923. Capital projects remain flat from the previous year, with $1.8 million allocated to repairs and upgrades.
Planned capital improvements include office and bathroom renovations, HVAC system repairs, ceiling and lighting replacements, plumbing updates, playground upgrades and new flexible classroom furniture. This portion of the budget also includes debt service, leasing costs and operations and maintenance of buildings and grounds.
For more information, visit Go.BoardDocs.com/ny/rockville/Board.nsf/Public.
