Thursday, October 1, 2026
Residents in the Merrick and North Merrick school districts approved budgets for the 2026-27 school year during the May 19 Board of Education elections, while incumbents in both districts won re-election in uncontested races.
Voters in the Merrick Union Free School District approved the district’s $63.8 million budget by a vote of 527-155. District officials said the proposal maintains programs, staffing levels and student services while continuing investments in instruction, wellness initiatives and school safety. The district’s tax levy increase of 1.73 percent remained within the state’s allowable cap.
Merrick voters also approved Proposition No. 2, authorizing the use of $2.2 million in capital reserve funds for roof replacements at Birch School and Norman J. Levy Lakeside School, along with a boiler replacement at Birch. The proposition passed 559-119. Officials said the work is expected to be completed during summer 2027 with no additional tax impact to residents. District leaders said the project is part of ongoing efforts to maintain school facilities and address long-term infrastructure needs throughout the district.
In the North Merrick Union Free School District, residents approved the district’s $44.3 million budget by a 310-158 vote. Officials said the spending plan continues to prioritize instruction, innovation and student achievement. The budget supports literacy initiatives aligned with the Science of Reading, expanded math and science offerings, a K-6 foreign language program and the addition of a technology teacher focused on coding and digital learning. North Merrick’s tax levy increase of 2.53 percent also remained within the allowable state limit.
In Merrick, incumbents Jill Levine and Nicole Venditti won re-election to the Board of Education with 530 and 469 votes, respectively. In North Merrick, incumbents Ed Corona and Tracey Miller were also re-elected, earning 340 and 318 votes, respectively.
Voters in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District approved the district’s $210 million budget by a 2,133-852 vote. District officials said the spending plan includes the absorption of some staff positions through attrition and contains no cuts to programs. Voters also approved Proposition No. 2 by a 2,317-665 vote and Proposition No. 3 by a 2,219-705 margin.
