District overview
Hempstead Union Free School District
How Hempstead's schools are funded, governed and what is underway
Who pays for Hempstead's schools, and who is watching the money?
Hempstead is a high-need district on Long Island whose 2026-27 budget is $378.2 million. Almost three-quarters of the money comes from New York State aid. Local property taxes pay about a fifth and have been held at the same $75.9 million for at least nine years. The state has placed a monitor, Dr. William H. Johnson, who sits with the board as an ex-officio trustee and has written a three-year academic and financial plan for 2026 to 2029.
State aid is the main source
The 2026-27 budget projects $275.2 million in state aid (up 4.2%), $75.9 million from the property tax levy (flat), $4.5 million in payments in lieu of taxes, $6 million of other revenue and $16.5 million from district savings.
Charter schools take a large share
$110.6 million, about 29% of the budget, is set aside for charter schools that Hempstead residents attend (3,612 students projected). That is up from $82.2 million in 2024-25.
A five-member elected board plus a state monitor
Five elected trustees (LaMont Johnson, president; Elise Nicholson, vice president; Joylette Williams; Jeffrey Spencer; Gwendolyn Jackson, elected Aug 17, 2026) vote on actions. A student trustee and the NYSED monitor attend ex-officio. Several 2025-26 votes were 3-2 splits.
Savings are being redirected
An audit found the district held more unspent money than state law allows (8.59% of the budget vs. a 4% limit) two years in a row. In June 2026 the board authorized moving up to $27 million into reserves, and the 2026-27 budget spends $16.5 million of savings.
A flat tax levy and a clean financial-statement opinion are good signs. The repeated savings finding is a compliance issue, not evidence of missing money, and it is being addressed through reserves and the budget.
Where the district stands
Up 5.40% from $358.8 million in 2025-26. Voters passed it May 19, 2026.
The same levy in each of the last nine years; the tax cap would have allowed $1.57 million more.
Up 4.24% from $264.0 million. About 73% of revenue.
Up 3.9% from $106.5 million; was $82.2 million in 2024-25. About 29% of the budget.
Up 58.8% from $10.4 million in 2025-26.
Repeat audit finding 2025-001.
Down 16.8% from $223.7 million (restated). This accounting measure is mostly long-term retiree benefit and pension obligations, not cash owed.
Zero at ABGS Middle School and the six elementary schools.
Federal NCES figure, not from a collected district document. Charter schools enroll a further ~3,600 Hempstead residents.
The budget does not state a per-pupil figure. Dividing $378.2 million by 6,114 would overstate it because $110.6 million is paid to charter schools for other students. Excluding charter payments, $267.6 million / 6,114 is about $43,700 (calculation, context only; it includes special education, transportation and debt).
Major projects
ABGS Middle School addition and renovation
Under constructionA new addition to ABGS Middle School with asbestos removal, classroom upgrades, new boilers and electrical, plumbing and heating work in the existing building. In September 2026 crews completed block walls and brick on the addition and started roof framing.
- Site work: job trailers, drainage and utility trenches (Oct 2025 report)
- Masonry, steel decking and concrete slab work under way (week of Jul 13)
- Block walls and brick done; stairs and ramps poured; roofing material delivered (Sept 2026 report)
Funding
Not stated in the construction reports; district bond programs fund other school work
Reports give no total cost or completion date.
Bond-funded building upgrades and new $30 million capital reserve
Several phases under way2022 bond phases 3 and 4 and 2024 bond phase 2 cover roofs, heating and cooling, elevators, bathrooms and security at the high school and elementary schools. In April 2026 the board rejected all bids on two phase 4 contracts because of budget limits; roof work was re-awarded ($2.15 million) in July and the general contract is to be rebid. Voters approved a $30 million capital reserve fund on May 19, 2026.
- Board rejects phase 4 bids over budget limits
- Voters approve the capital reserve fund (up to $30 million)
- 2024 bond phase II mechanical and electrical contracts awarded
- Roof construction contract awarded, $2,150,000 (2022 bond phase 4)
Funding
2022 and 2024 voter-approved bonds, plus the new capital reserve fund
Reserve fund starts with $19.6 million from the 2019 fund; up to $11 million more authorized from 2025-26 savings.
State monitor's three-year academic and financial plans
Board vote scheduled Sept 23, 2026The board's Sept 23 agenda asks it to adopt the State Monitor's plans for 2026-27 to 2028-29. The plans themselves are not in the documents reviewed, and minutes of the vote are not yet posted.
- Monitor's fiscal and academic plan discussed at the work study meeting
- Adoption resolution on the regular meeting agenda
Funding
General fund; amounts not stated
An amendment to the monitor's contract hours was on the June 17, 2026 agenda.
Barack Obama and Jackson elementary schools become K-6
Starts 2026-27The Mar 11, 2026 work study agenda asks the board to approve changing both schools to kindergarten through grade 6, alongside a new K-6 reading program and aides in grades K-1.
- Reconfiguration resolution on the work study agenda
- Adopted budget lists elementary reconfiguration and K-6 English language arts restructuring
Funding
General fund (2026-27 budget)
No separate cost is stated.
Recent news
Built from the district's own posted board agendas and minutes (Nov 2025 to Oct 2026), the 2026-27 budget documents, the FY2025 audit, construction reports and policy pages. Figures marked verified come directly from a stored district document; calculated or external figures are marked context.
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