What will the West Hempstead school budget mean now that it's adopted?

Voters Tuesday night approved the West Hempstead school district budget after defeating the identical proposal in May.

The June 20 revote resulted in 1,989 residents voting in favor of the budget, and 1,670 voting against the budget

The approved 2023-24 budget will result in a 1.99 percent tax increase for homeowners. The average homeowner will see a $155 yearly increase in property taxes compared to last year’s school budget taxes.

“The school budget revote is crucial for us to prioritize student needs as they continue to receive a quality education,” West Hempstead Superintendent Daniel Rehman said. “Every dollar benefits student academic success.”

The $74,125,176 spending plan will result in a 4.20 percent spending increase from last year. The 1.99 percent tax levy increase is below the state’s 2.43 percent tax cap for the district. Officials said this marks the 12^th consecutive budget below the tax cap.

“Our commitment to fiscal responsibility ensures taxpayer dollars are utilized wisely and in the best interests of student and the community,” Rehman said.

West Hempstead school officials have been coping with declining enrollment coupled with increased transportation and special education costs. Just since last year’s budget, medical insurance premiums for employees rose by $930,000. Special education costs increased by $730,000 from last year, while facilities management and transportation combined for a $975,000 increase from last year, according to a district informational presentation to taxpayers.

To help offset these costs without only raising the tax levy, district officials have increased use of the fund balance from $1 million in 2016-17 to $3.8 million in 2023-24.

BOE Trustee Burt Blass, during a May revote hearing, criticized the district for relying too heavily on using the fund balance. Blass said the district could run into financial headaches in the future if the fund balance continues to be used.

Blass argued that the district could simply reduce the reserve fund from 4 to 3 percent to offset the budget-to-budget increase from last year. He said that would allow the district to propose a 0 percent tax levy increase while balancing the budget and building reserves.

Had voters rejected the budget on June 20, West Hempstead would have been forced by state law onto a contingency, or austerity, budget, which would have resulted in deep and drastic cuts to after-school programs.