The Glen Cove City School District Board of Education unanimously adopted a $122,314,624 budget for the 2026-2027 school year on April 15, after addressing a multi-million-dollar shortfall through a combination of reserve funds and targeted reductions.
Here are three key takeaways from the adopted budget:
1) Budget approved with tax levy increase under cap
The $122.3 million budget includes a 2.42 percent tax levy increase, which does not pierce the state’s tax cap. District officials said staying within the cap was a priority as they worked to balance rising costs with the impact on local taxpayers. The district is currently operating under a $118.1 million budget for the 2025-26 academic year, marking a year-over-year increase in overall spending.
2) Officials closed a $7.57M gap using reserves and cuts
District officials entered the budget process facing a $7.57 million shortfall. By applying $4 million from reserve funds, the gap was reduced to $3.57 million, according to Superintendent Alexa Doeschner.
To further address the deficit, the district outlined a series of reductions. These include cuts to the Summer Academic Program, student-teacher conferences, the Twilight Program, curriculum writing, and the fine arts coordinator position. Additional changes involve teaching assistant and monitor reassignments, along with reductions in supplies and postage.
The middle school will also shift from a nine-period day to an eight-period schedule as part of the district’s cost-saving measures.
3) Key programs preserved despite financial pressures
District officials emphasized efforts to preserve core programs and services. Priorities included maintaining the Special Education Extended Year Program, class sizes, Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment courses, staff positions, and arts and extracurricular offerings.
Foundation aid normalized after several years of growth, the district expects a 2.04 percent increase for the upcoming school year — an amount that does not keep pace with rising costs. Declining enrollment has also impacted funding, dropping from 3,273 students in 2016-17 to 3,059 as of February.
The district’s financial position is shaped by decisions to levy below the allowable tax limit, leaving roughly $1.7 million in potential revenue.
