District overview
Hicksville Union Free School District
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How is Hicksville funded, and why do budgets feel tight?
Hicksville is a Long Island district where most of the money comes from local property taxes, and the state limits how fast that tax levy can grow. For 2026-27 the voter-approved budget is $186.3 million. About $121.5 million (65%) comes from the property tax levy, which rises 2.58%, inside the state cap. State aid is about $45.8 million, and payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) from large commercial properties add $8.7 million. Costs such as special education, transportation, charter school tuition and benefits grow faster than the cap, and enrollment is falling, which lowers state aid.
The tax cap limits the biggest source of money
The levy can rise only by a state formula (2.58% for 2026-27). The district went over the cap for 2025-26 to avoid deep cuts and is using reserve money to smooth that out over three years. The 2026-27 budget stays inside the cap.
Special education is the fastest-growing cost
Special education spending grew from $21.4 million in 2021-22 to $29.2 million in 2024-25 and is budgeted at $34.8 million for 2026-27 (about 18% of spending). Most of it is required by law.
Fewer students means less state aid
Enrollment was 5,335 in January 2024 and 5,166 in January 2026, and the superintendent said in July 2026 it was below 5,000. A demographer is studying enrollment and elementary school zones.
Who pays within the tax levy has shifted
A district presentation says homeowners paid 66.90% of the 2025-26 levy, up from 56.29% in 2010, because tax-reduced PILOT properties move part of the share to other taxpayers.
The district says the 2026-27 budget is balanced, has the lowest increase in six years (3.04%), and that spending on administration is low compared with other Nassau County districts. Its outside auditors have reported no significant claims-audit issues. None of this means the pressure is gone: district slides say costs still grow faster than income.
Where the district stands
Up $5,503,767 (3.04%) from $180,811,423 in 2025-26. Voters approved it 1,133 to 506.
Levy of $121,514,425 versus $118,463,674 last year; within the state tax cap.
Down from 5,335 in January 2024. The superintendent said in July 2026 that it was below 5,000.
18.4% of general fund spending, up from $21.4 million in 2021-22.
Context: $186,315,191 divided by 5,166 students. The budget also pays for transportation, debt, buildings and benefits, and it includes students who attend BOCES and charter schools, so it is not a classroom-only figure.
Up from 84.9% for the Class of 2025; 91.4% for 2024.
The slide says it was 55% before. It reports Nassau County fell about 13%.
Plus a student ex officio member. Seats are voted on one seat at a time at the annual May vote.
Major projects
2026-27 school budget
Approved by voters, May 19, 2026A $186.3 million budget with a 2.58% levy increase. It cuts about 6.7 teaching positions, 7 teaching assistants and 9 aides, adds a study period in grades 6-7, restores summer school, removes $60,000 for the Gregory Museum and buys two new vans.
- Workshop #2 sets tax cap at 2.58%
- Final proposed budget presented
- Board adopts the budget plan; summer school restored
- Public budget hearing
- Voters approve the budget 1,133 to 506
Funding
Property tax levy, state aid, PILOTs, reserves and fund balance
About $5.9 million of the 2025-26 budget came from reserves, fund balance and capital transfers.
Enrollment and school zone study
Demographer hiredThe district hired a demographer to study falling enrollment and how elementary school zones are set. In January the superintendent said no decision to close a school had been made and that any change would need public discussion.
- Superintendent reports 5,180 students and seeks demographer proposals
- Superintendent says a demographer is contracted; no closing decided
- Enrollment reported below 5,000; detailed report promised for August
Funding
General fund (cost not stated in the reviewed documents)
Building upgrades: energy performance contract and possible bond
Being explored; nothing approvedThe district is reviewing its building condition survey. Ideas that could be paid for through an energy performance contract include lighting, solar panels and boilers, if payback is 18 years or less. A bond is also being explored.
- Superintendent says a bond and energy exploration committee will be formed
- Facilities Committee reviews the 2025 building condition survey
- Architect reviews energy contract options and solar roof needs
Funding
Not yet set; an energy performance contract is repaid from energy savings, a bond would need voter approval
New district website and parent messaging (ParentSquare)
First year of a two-year rolloutThe district chose ParentSquare for its website and mass communications in 2026-27, with teacher messaging planned for 2027-28.
- Curriculum Committee compares ParentSquare and Apptegy
- Subcommittee recommends ParentSquare with a two-year rollout
- Superintendent says the district is still new to ParentSquare
Funding
Carryover federal Title funds cover the onboarding cost, per the March 4 minutes
Recent news
Figures marked verified are stated in a district document or meeting recording that is linked from the figure. Meeting recording captions are auto-generated and are not approved minutes. Per-student spending is a calculation and is marked as context. BoardDocs (agendas, minutes and board policies) was not reviewed for this page.
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