Thursday, October 1, 2026
Village residents approved the Rockville Centre School District’s proposed $141.3 million budget for the 2026-27 school year on Tuesday, supporting a spending plan that district officials said preserves programs while remaining within the state tax cap.
The budget passed by a vote of 1,915-1,195.
“We’re thankful to the community for supporting us,” Superintendent Matthew Gaven said.
The approved plan carries a 1.03 percent increase in spending and a 2.06 percent tax levy increase, which district officials said would amount to an estimated $309 annual increase for the average homeowner.
It also includes staffing reductions of more than 20 teaching positions, along with cuts to teacher assistants and administrative staff through attrition and retirements, as the district works to offset rising costs while preserving core classroom instruction.
The budget also includes a $2 million transfer to capital projects, including renovations at South Side Middle School, HVAC replacements at Jennie E. Hewitt Elementary School, playground improvements at Covert and Watson elementary schools, and district-wide ceiling, lighting and flooring repairs.
The spending plan includes continued support for academic programming, athletics, arts and extracurricular activities while addressing increased costs tied to employee benefits, contractual obligations, and student services. Officials also emphasized that the proposal stays below the average Long Island tax increase reported this year.
Voters also cast ballots in the Board of Education election, where incumbent Janet Gruner faced challengers Mary Beth Joyce and Christa Dorrego for two at-large seats.
Dorrego (1,955 votes) and Joyce (1,947) won the two available seats, unseating Gruner (1,347).
The Rockville Centre Public Library budget also passed 2,093-700. Michael Ludwig retained his seat on the board with 2,271 votes.
