District overview
Central Islip Union Free School District
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
Who pays for Central Islip schools?
Central Islip is a New York union free school district with one board of education and eight schools. Its 2026-27 budget is $316.7 million. About two thirds comes from state aid ($208.8 million projected) and about three tenths from the local property tax levy ($94.4 million). Voters approve the budget each May, and the levy is limited by the state tax cap.
State aid is the biggest source
State aid is projected to rise 7.4% to $208.8 million for 2026-27. The district based that number on the governor's January proposal, and the state budget had not been final when it was adopted.
The tax levy is flat
The levy is $94.4 million, down 0.04% from $94.4 million in 2025-26. It is at the state tax cap limit for 2026-27.
Costs are rising faster than local taxes
The adoption presentation lists $20.5 million of cost increases (employee benefits, transportation, special education, technology and charter school tuition) against $15.2 million of new revenue.
Voters decide each May
The board adopts a budget in April and residents vote on it, and on board seats, on the third Tuesday of May. The 2026 vote was May 19.
A flat levy does not mean spending is flat: the total budget grew 5.05%, paid for mostly by more state aid.
Where the district stands
Up 5.05% from $301,498,985 in 2025-26.
Down 0.04% from $94,438,632.
Up 7.4% from $194,405,353.
Up 1.23% from 8,038. The federal NCES count for the district is about 7,902, a different year and method.
$316,732,594 divided by 8,137 students. This is the whole budget, including debt, transportation, benefits, charter tuition paid out and capital, so it is not what is spent in a classroom.
Pays for projects without borrowing.
4.00% of the budget. The district also holds about $171 million in restricted reserves.
All eight were removed from the state Accountability List, according to the board president.
Major projects
Classroom air conditioning, three phases
Phase one of three funded in 2026-27The budget sets aside $2.5 million to install air conditioning in classrooms at Cordello, Mulvey, O'Neill and Morrow elementary schools. This is phase one of three.
- Board adopts 2026-27 budget with the first phase
- Residents vote on the budget
Funding
Transfer from the operating budget to the capital fund (no borrowing)
$2.5 million of the $5.25 million transfer.
Districtwide building upgrades
Funded in 2026-27 budget$2.75 million covers items such as the high school front entrance and auditorium, Reed gym floors and wing HVAC, new floors and bathrooms at several elementary schools, and softball field irrigation.
- Board adopts budget with the capital transfer
- Ribbon cutting for locker room upgrades reported
Funding
Transfer from the operating budget to the capital fund
$2.75 million of the $5.25 million transfer.
Bell-to-bell phone policy
In effect; first enforcement report due Sept. 1, 2026Policy 5695 bans student use of internet-enabled devices all school day, with exceptions for IEP or 504 plans, health needs, translation and family care.
- Board revises Policy 5695
- Board hears students are adjusting (synopsis posted)
Funding
No separate funding identified
Recent news
Built from the district's own board synopses, 2026-27 budget presentation, brochure and state tax-cap filing, and its published policies. Figures marked verified come from a stored district document; derived figures and the NCES enrollment are context. District synopses are summaries, not official minutes.
Get alerts for Central Islip Union Free School District
We read every agenda, packet, recording, and set of minutes, and write up the decisions that affect families — each one linked to the document it came from.
View alerts for this district