Locust Valley Central School District Superintendent Kristen Turnow said district officials are already reviewing potential cuts and communication strategies ahead of the June 16 revote after residents rejected the proposed 2026-27 budget.
In an interview on May 22, Turnow discussed the district’s outreach efforts, the possible effects of a contingency budget and the difficult decisions the Board of Education may face in the coming weeks.
“We’re all just working to see what are the areas and present it to the school board early next week,” Turnow said. “Ultimately they will make the decision.”
The district’s proposed budget carried a 2.1 percent tax levy increase, one of the lowest among neighboring districts, according to Turnow.
Turnow said the administration made a significant effort this year to improve transparency and public engagement, including livestreaming presentations and creating a centralized budget webpage.
She said she was disappointed by the result, particularly because the district attempted to make information more accessible to working families.
Turnow said the district also worked with public relations firms, including Ark, to improve outreach and launch the “Falcons Fly Together” slogan campaign.
While district officials have not yet finalized possible reductions, Turnow said administrators are reviewing every area of the budget.
“There’s only two decisions to make,” she said. “Do you leave the budget alone and you present the same budget, or do you look at a couple of more items and try to lower it a little bit more.”
If the budget fails again, the district would be required to adopt a contingency budget with a zero percent tax levy increase.
According to district figures, that would require cutting $1,892,547 from the proposed spending plan.
“That’s shutting down,” Turnow said of the prospect of a contingency budget. “The thought of not being able to see our children play on our fields after school really upsets me.”
Turnow said contingency rules imposed by New York state would affect far more than classroom programs.
“The state of New York truly hurt a community,” she said. “It’s not just a one little piece.”
Among the possible impacts are restrictions on community use of school grounds and facilities, including turf fields used by local sports organizations. She said outside groups such as soccer, baseball and lacrosse leagues rely heavily on district facilities.
Other programs potentially affected include continuing education courses, summer recreation, summer academic support programs and the district’s EMT certification program.
Turnow also said equipment purchases and expansion projects could be eliminated, including new Mac computers and equipment for the district’s film program, updated gym equipment and a new piano for the music department.
“These will be areas that, unfortunately, those wish lists won’t happen,” she said.
The superintendent emphasized that academics would remain the district’s first priority during any reduction process.
“We really look at the academics,” Turnow said. “You try to preserve anything and everything that you possibly can.”
Still, she acknowledged cuts could eventually affect extracurricular opportunities, transportation and club participation.
“We run clubs with only 10 children,” she said. “Well, we might have to raise that, say, to 15.”
Late buses for after-school activities could also face reductions.
Despite the uncertainty, Turnow stressed that the district remains financially stable.
She noted that all five district labor contracts were either settled or near completion, reducing uncertainty about potential negotiations during the budget process.
Turnow also pointed to broader economic pressures, including inflation and declining enrollment, as challenges facing school districts across Long Island.
Still, Turnow expressed optimism that more residents will participate in the June revote.
“I think when they do (vote),” Turnow added, “it’ll be certainly in favor of the children of the Locust Valley School District.”
