For the 2024-25 school year, the Bridgehampton School District will likely put a $22.64 million spending plan before taxpayers for the May 21 budget vote. It has yet to be formally adopted by the school board, however, as numbers can still change pending the outcome of budget talks between the New York State Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“I’m happy to report that the budget we’ve been developing will maintain all the quality programs you’ve come to expect, and better yet, it is tax-cap compliant,” said Peter Daly, Bridgehampton’s interim business administrator.
During a school board meeting on March 20, he said that the proposed budget carries a 4.13-percent year-over-year total spending increase, and a 3.34-percent tax-levy increase, which falls right at the tax-cap limit for Bridgehampton.
The spending plan assumes a drop in state money for the district of about 16.7 percent, or $152,145, which may yet be restored if state officials come through with their spending plan before the school budget vote.
“People in my position are looking at it this year with a little more angst or anxiety,” Mr. Daly said. “We are hoping, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they will restore foundation aid to our level.”
According to Mary Kelly, the district superintendent, a group of East End superintendents “is working very closely with our legislative representatives to express why these are such significant challenges. They have been very receptive to our lobbying efforts. We can’t guarantee anything, but we’re cautiously optimistic that people are listening.”
A draft of Bridgehampton’s proposed budget shows the largest increase, $434,845, to “instructional spending,” including teachers’ salaries in regular and special education, clubs and athletics, health services, library materials, and other similar expenses.
A 13.3-percent increase to transportation costs is projected, or $162,726, up to $1.22 million for school busing. Administrators are also projecting a $230,310 spending increase to benefits, including health insurance, retirement contributions, Social Security, workers’ compensation, and other similar types of expenses, bringing that total to $4.94 million.
Bridgehampton officials anticipate allotting $250,000 for a transfer to its capital project account, which can be used for upgrades to buildings and infrastructure. There will be a $2.37-million debt payment toward the money borrowed for the recent expansion project.
The school board expects to adopt the budget at its next meeting, on April 17 at 6 p.m. However, Mr. Daly said, “There is some fine-tuning that still has to be done to this budget. Hopefully we will have this information relative to the state budget soon.”