District overview
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
Half Hollow Hills is a suburban Long Island district in Suffolk County. Most of its money comes from property taxes. The state sends less aid because the district is considered wealthier than most. Voters approve the budget each May.
The tax levy is $244.4 million of $318.0 million. State aid is $40.9 million, savings and reserves $19.7 million, PILOTs $4.85 million and other income $8.1 million.
The levy rose 3.31% in the May budget, which the district says is what the state formula allows. After the LIPA tax deal the district recalculated the increase to 1.75%.
A PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) is a negotiated payment that replaces regular taxes. The district says they lower its allowed levy in future years.
A seven-member elected Board of Education adopts the budget and sends it to voters on the third Tuesday in May. The 2026 budget passed 2,614 to 506.
The district's budget slides argue that funding is tight. They do not show that programs are being cut; the sources say no budget balancing cuts have been made so far.
Up $10.3 million (3.35%) from $307,664,521 in 2025-26.
Share of the budget paid by property taxes; the district later recalculated the levy increase to 1.75% after the LIPA agreement.
About 13% of revenue; the district says state aid is declining.
One-time savings used to help balance the budget.
First year of a five-year contract estimated at $81,646,458.
About 27% of the budget, covering about 2,000 employees and 1,100 retirees.
The March 2026 budget slides cite 7,053 students in 2025; projected enrollment is level to slowly declining. NCES lists a different year's count.
Context: $317,967,592 divided by 7,053 students. It includes transportation, benefits, debt and building costs, not only classroom spending.
Approximate staff count used in budget planning.
Voters approved spending about $13.5 million from a reserve fund created in 2022 to rebuild the roof at High School East. No borrowing is needed.
Roof Replacement Capital Reserve Fund
About $13,500,000
The district has a contract for energy-saving upgrades up to $32 million. The district says energy savings pay for it. Voters approved the extra 10% State building aid on May 19, 2026.
Energy savings; 10% enhanced State building aid
Not-to-exceed $32,000,000
Playground and floor work at Otsego and Sunquam, bathroom renovations at Paumanok and High School East, new oil tanks at Signal Hill and West Hollow, and lights for the High School East turf field.
Transfer from the 2026-27 operating budget
$4,500,000
Huntington's Melville zone allows up to 1,500 homes, about 9% more housing units in the district. The district asked the town to pause and require an agreement with the district; the town approved Cornerstone Melville.
Developer PILOT payments set by the town; no district agreement signed yet
The district reported talks with Steel Equities but no agreement as of March 2026.
The board is filling a vacant seat by interview. The appointee serves until the May 18, 2027 election.
Not applicable (unpaid elected seat)
Voters elect trustees and vote on the 2027-28 budget on the third Tuesday in May. The seat filled by the 2026 vacancy appointment runs until this election.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Four seats were on the ballot: Michael Prywes and Colin Specter and Dina Shulman won three-year terms; Dr. Leonard Patella won an unexpired term ending June 2027.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
$317,967,592
Approved by voters 2,614 to 506. Spending rises 3.35%; the tax levy increase was 3.31% at the vote.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
$13,500,000
Allows spending about $13.5 million from a reserve voters created in 2022. Approved 2,728 to 362.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
$32,000,000
Authorizes an energy performance contract of up to $32 million, offset by energy savings, to qualify for 10% extra State building aid. Approved 2,668 to 358.
Official source · verified Oct 20, 2026
Built from the district website's budget pages, board pages, budget presentations, budget brochure and announcements collected from hhh.k12.ny.us. Figures marked verified come directly from those stored documents; calculations are context.
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.
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