District overview
East Meadow Union Free School District
How East Meadow's schools are paid for, who decides, and what is being built
How is East Meadow funded?
East Meadow, on Long Island in Nassau County, serves about 7,500 students in nine school buildings (about 7,800 in federal counts). For 2026-27 the board adopted a $286,776,667 budget. About 58% of that comes from a $166.1 million property-tax levy and about a third from roughly $95.7 million in state aid. Foundation Aid, the largest state payment at $67.6 million, did not change from last year. Voters approve the budget every May. In May 2026 they did, 1,279 to 436.
The tax cap limits the levy, with exceptions
State law lets the levy grow by about 2% a year, adjusted for new construction and certain debt costs. For 2026-27 that allowed a 2.86% increase ($4.6 million). The district stayed at that limit.
Fewer students means less aid
Many state aids are paid per student. Enrollment was 7,817 in 2024-25, 7,631 in 2025-26 and is projected at 7,524 for 2026-27. Staff said this is one of the budget's main risks.
Special education, buses, insurance and pensions drive costs
Staff named these as the biggest cost increases. Special education is budgeted at $40.3 million and transportation at $19.3 million for 2026-27, up 5.5% and 7.1%.
Savings were used this year
The 2026-27 budget uses about $4.3 million of fund balance (savings). The 2025-26 budget used none. Administrators said they are watching costs closely now so they do not have to cut programs later.
None of this means the district is in trouble. An outside audit gave a clean opinion on the 2024-25 accounts, the unassigned savings cushion rose to 3.3% (the state cap is 4%), and staff say all programs and class sizes are kept in 2026-27. The audit also noted the budget was overspent by about half of one percent that year, covered by extra revenue.
Where the district stands
Up $15,488,664 (5.71%) from $271,288,003 in 2025-26.
Up $4,625,771 (2.86%) from $161,477,253. A separate levy of $9.1 million pays for the public library's debt.
Includes universal pre-K aid. Foundation Aid is flat at $67,606,514.
Down from 7,817 in 2024-25; 7,524 projected for 2026-27.
Appropriated fund balance; $0 in 2025-26.
Approved 1,132 to 462 on March 5, 2026.
Most recent rate stated by the district; over 70% earned Advanced Regents diplomas.
Context: $286,776,667 divided by 7,524 projected students. It includes transportation, benefits, debt service and facilities, so it is far higher than classroom spending per student.
Major projects
2026 capital bond (REiMAGINE)
Approved by voters; construction under wayA bond of up to $71,525,000 for all nine school buildings: secure entry vestibules and stronger door hardware, fire alarm systems, public-address and auditorium upgrades, new playgrounds (with sensory playgrounds at Bowling Green and Meadowbrook), turf fields, lighting, bleachers, locker rooms and a new boiler system at McVey. Phase one is vestibules, playgrounds and door hardware; phase two is athletics.
- Superintendent presents the first plan to the board
- Board approves environmental reviews and calls the vote
- Voters approve the bond, 1,132 to 462
- Permits in hand; playground work starts at Bowling Green
- Phase one near completion; phase two awaits state approval
Funding
General-obligation bond repaid through property taxes, partly offset by state building aid (about 71.5% of project cost, per district staff)
Estimated highest cost: about $31.86 a year for the average home; a 10% contingency and inflation allowance is included.
Annual capital projects in the operating budget
Voted each year with the budgetAbout $3 million a year of smaller projects voted with the budget, separate from the bond. Recent examples: a medical assisting lab, carpentry room, new weight and cardio rooms and a wrestling room renovation at the high schools.
- Board adopts 2026-27 budget with the capital project list
- Voters approve the budget, 1,279 to 436
Funding
Annual operating budget and capital reserve, approved by voters each May
Recent news
Figures marked verified come from district budget, notice and progress documents and from recordings of board meetings between November 2025 and October 2026. Calculations and outside figures are marked context. Board agendas and minutes are posted only on BoardDocs, which could not be saved for this review, so meeting facts come from recordings and notices.
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