The Bay Shore Union Free School District’s proposed 2024-25 budget has been finalized, exhibiting a minor increase in the budget grand total compared to the 2023-24 budget.

The 2024-25 proposed budget totals to $197,418,192, a 1.4 percent increase from the $194,639,180 grand total of the adopted 2023-24 budget.

Under the proposed budget, all current programming and services will continue to be offered.

The proposed budget is mainly funded by State Aid and the Real Property Tax Levy, with smaller contributions from tuition, health services, interest and earnings, interfund revenues, Medicaid reimbursements, refund of prior years’ expenses, and miscellaneous.

Under the proposed 2024-25 budget, the school tax paid on an average single-family home will increase by about $200 annually, or about $16.7 per month. The property tax levy is increasing to $117,889,085, a 2.2 percent increase compared to the previous year’s $115,360,073.

Since Gov. Hochul has reinstated the “Save Harmless”—a provision that ensures that districts never receive less funding than the year before, regardless of population loss, their need, or the size of their surpluses—the Bay Shore Union Free School District is expecting to receive $76,494,107 in State Aid, the same amount received in the 2023-24.

The proposed 2024-25 budget allots for a $5,300,000 inter-fund transfer to capital, which will fund boiler replacements in up to five buildings, partial roof replacement at the High School, and additional cornice reconstruction at the High School.

An increase in employee benefits is also observed in the proposed budget. The $48,417,799 proposed for employee benefits is an increase of 1,825,000, or 3.9 percent. This increase is counteracted by a $2,271,025 decrease in debt services.

The final major increase of Bay Shore’s proposed budget comes from an increase in Special Ed. Programs and Services. Compared to the 2023-24 budget, the programs and services are exhibiting a $1,019,248 increase, growing from $30,592,972 to $31,612,220.

Additional sections of Special Education classes, including support personnel, will be added due to rising enrollment.

“The increase in funding for Bay Shore School District’s special education programs can be attributed to the growth in students placed in specialized programs. These placements require a team of support staff to address the students’ language, learning, and developmental needs,” shared superintendent of schools Dr. Steven J. Maloney. “We are proud of our ability to educate our students within our district rather than sending them to outside placements. By attending school alongside the children in their neighborhoods, our special education students are able to become part of the fabric of our school community.”

A budget hearing and meet the board of education candidates night will be held on Monday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m. The Bay Shore School District Budget Vote will be held Tuesday, May 21, in the Bay Shore High School gymnasium. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.