Thursday, October 1, 2026
Oceanside and Island Park voters approved their school district budgets Tuesday, passing spending plans that preserve programs and staffing while funding capital projects in Oceanside.
In Oceanside, voters approved a $192.4 million budget, 1,359-496. The spending plan is a 3.06% increase over the current $186.7 million budget. The tax levy will increase 2.28%, from $131.8 million to $134.8 million, matching the district’s tax-cap limit and requiring a simple majority.
The Oceanside budget includes a 1.25% teacher salary increase, plus a full step increase, with no reductions in teachers, staff or programs.
Voters also approved a capital reserve proposition, 1,408-420, allowing the district to use $5.8 million for projects including resurfacing the high school track and renovating bathrooms, without affecting the tax levy.
“We’re grateful to the community and we want people to know why their vote matters and what impact it has,” Oceanside Board of Education President Michael D’Ambrosio said.
Incumbents Sandie Schoell, Donald Maresca and Laura Lisi ran unopposed for three-year terms. Schoell received 1,321 votes, Maresca received 1,252 and Lisi received 1,236.
In Island Park, voters approved a $48.1 million budget, 280-112. The spending plan is a 6.79% increase over the current $45 million budget. The tax levy will remain flat at $34.3 million, a 0% increase that is within the district’s 5.74% tax-cap limit and required a simple majority for approval.
The Island Park budget includes a 1.25% increase in teacher salaries, plus a 2.45% step increase. The district plans to add one teacher and has no reductions in teachers, staff or programs.
Incumbent Kathleen McDonough, who ran unopposed for a five-year term on the Board of Education, received 327 votes.
