Rockville Centre school officials have restored two teaching positions in the proposed 2026-27 budget in response to community feedback, while maintaining most previously planned reductions to help close a multimillion-dollar spending gap.
The revised proposal, presented March 26 at a Board of Education public work session at South Side High School, takes into account updated enrollment projections in adding back one elementary teaching position and one speech teacher tied to the transition from Committee on Preschool Special Education services to Committee on Special Education.
District Superintendent Matthew Gaven explained that the elementary position is a second-grade teacher at Jennie E. Hewitt Elementary School, added after a 26th student enrolled March 20, triggering the need for another class section.
“We generally aim for 25 students in a classroom,” Gaven said. “When you reach 26, we typically have to split a section.”
The initial budget gap of roughly $6 million has been reduced to about $3.2 million after retirements, staffing adjustments and other cost-saving measures.
Earlier proposals called for the elimination of 24.2 teaching positions — including 22 excessed roles — along with 40 teaching-assistant positions. Those reductions, combined with 12 teacher retirements, account for nearly $3 million in savings from teaching positions and about $950,000 from teaching assistants.
The cuts include two teachers each in math and social studies, and one each in English Language Arts, science, art and physical education, along with several world language, academic intervention services and positions in STELLAR, a program supporting students in technology, enrichment, literacy, library studies and research.
Separate special-education staffing changes include a reduction of 7.8 teaching positions tied to retirements and program needs.
The plan drew sharp criticism from residents at a meeting on March 12, particularly over the potential impact on small-group instruction, special-education services and overall classroom support.
Officials said the remaining gap reflects rising costs, declining enrollment — down about 8 percent over the past decade — and structural pressures that continue to outpace revenue growth.
To help balance the budget, administrators plan to use about $1.6 million from the district’s fund balance, or savings. Officials cautioned, however, that those reserves are relatively low — about 11 percent of the budget, compared with a Nassau County average of roughly 25 percent — limiting how much the district can rely on them without creating future financial strain.
“There are many more conversations that need to be had,” board Secretary Janet Gruner said. “But at this moment, we are in a very difficult situation and must make some hard decisions. That’s not because we don’t value teachers — and I know many feel expendable in this process — but that is absolutely not the case.”
Board Trustee Erica Messier drew applause from the audience when she said she did not support “reductions at the curriculum level” or a budget approach that maximizes the use of the fund balance, instead calling for a more “measured, incremental approach.”
She also suggested that the district consider moving from the International Baccalaureate program to Advanced Placement, which she said could save $500,000.
“The budget, as it stands right now, I don’t know if I can support it,” Messier said.
There was no public comment session at the meeting, despite a large turnout in the high school’s Commons Room. But Rockville Centre Teachers’ Association President Lesli Deninno shared prepared remarks with the Herald criticizing the proposal.
“Our community deserves honesty,” Deninno wrote. “Our Board of Education deserves accurate information to make informed decisions. Our educators deserve respect and transparency as they face unprecedented disruption to their work and livelihoods. And, most importantly, our students deserve better. They deserve a district that puts their education first, not one that balances its budget on their backs.”
New York’s tax cap continues to shape school district budgets. Rockville Centre is proposing a tax levy increase of about 2.06 percent — below the state cap — which would generate roughly $2.25 million in additional revenue.
Under state law, districts are generally limited to increasing their property tax levy by the lesser of 2 percent or the rate of inflation, and can exceed that threshold only with the approval of at least 60 percent of voters.
District officials said they are not recommending exceeding the cap, arguing that the budget shortfall is driven in part by structural issues, including declining enrollment, and that raising taxes would not address long-term financial challenges.
Staying below the cap, however, makes it difficult to fully fund programs and services, often forcing options such as staffing reductions, the use of reserves or cuts in expenses. Additional proposed savings include reductions to extracurricular funding, field trips and summer staffing, as well as the imposition of a $50 musical instrument maintenance fee.
The next budget meeting is scheduled for April 16, when officials will present a revised, line-by-line proposal reflecting board and community feedback. The board is expected to review the proposal and may consider adoption at that meeting.
