District overview
Oceanside Union Free School District
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How is Oceanside funded, and what shapes its budget?
Oceanside is a New York union free school district. Voters approve its budget each May, and about 70% of the proposed 2026-27 budget ($134.8 million of $192.4 million) comes from the property tax levy. The rest comes mainly from state aid (Foundation Aid for operations, Building Aid for approved construction) and other income. A state tax cap limits how fast the levy can grow. If voters reject a budget, the board can hold a second vote or use a contingency budget that cannot raise the levy.
The LIPA tax settlement is shrinking revenue
A 2021 court settlement let the power utility LIPA pay about 45% less on its Oceanside property over seven years. District officials say this cost roughly $8 million a year at the start and is falling to a little over $4 million, and could total up to about $32 million. They have kept extra savings to cushion it.
A seven-member elected board
Seven trustees serve three-year terms and are elected at the annual budget vote on the third Tuesday of May. They are unpaid. The next vote is May 18, 2027.
Spending is mostly people and programs
The 2026-27 proposal says it keeps every program and position. It adds a STEM and robotics suite, a business and personal finance course, and AI instruction. Build-out money comes from capital reserve savings the voters approved, not the yearly levy.
Enrollment is flat to falling
K-12 enrollment was 5,083 in October 2026, down from 5,153. The district says it has lost about 100 students a year and kindergarten fell by 57 this year for reasons it cannot yet explain.
None of this shows the district is in financial trouble. Its 2026-27 levy rise (2.28%) is within the state cap, auditors reported on the fund balance rather than any unpaid bills, and the district says it has not cut a program or laid off a teacher because of the LIPA loss. What the records do not show is how far the cushion lasts if enrollment keeps falling.
Where the district stands
Up 3.06% from 2025-26 ($186,704,215 per the budget book).
Up 2.28%; the district says this is within the state tax cap.
Down from 5,153 a year earlier. Does not include 279 pre-K students.
Down from 417 a year earlier.
Calculation: $192,419,398 divided by about 5,362 students (5,083 K-12 plus 279 pre-K). Covers all district costs including benefits and transportation. Context only.
Major projects
High school capital reserve project (track, bathrooms, gym air conditioning, stair windows)
On the May 19, 2026 ballot; track work reported done in OctoberProposition 3 asked voters to let the district spend up to $5,789,078 from its capital reserve on the high school varsity track and fencing, two sets of student bathrooms, rooftop air conditioning for the main gym and glass block windows in three stairwells. Vote totals were not in the collected records. In October the building committee said the high school track resurfacing is complete and fencing is in progress.
- Board approves ballot propositions including the capital reserve project
- Annual budget vote and board election
- Building committee reports track resurfacing complete, fencing under way
Funding
Capital reserve fund voters established in 2018 (no new borrowing)
Up to $5,789,078 under Proposition 3; the board reaffirmed a capital reserve limit of $40 million on June 10, 2026.
Phase 5 science renovation and shop spaces
FinishingWork on the Phase 5 science renovation continues. The new courtyard rooms are in use, equipment for the renovated auto and wood shop was due the week after Oct. 14, and the fire door was expected by the end of October.
- Board approves a consultant to oversee finishing Phase 5
- Building committee reports courtyard rooms in use and shop equipment arriving
Funding
Capital reserve project
Optional attendance zone for some elementary neighborhoods
Proposed for 2027-28The superintendent recommended letting families in small parts of the School #2, #8 and #3 zones choose School #4 or School #9E, to balance uneven building sizes. No board vote appears in the collected records.
- Superintendent announces the recommendation
Funding
No separate funding identified
Next capital reserve projects
Under study, about $15 million capThe building committee is weighing brick repairs at Schools #5 and #6, a new public address system, playground replacements, a middle school track with possible football turf, and high school auditorium lighting. The full board has not approved a list.
- Building committee presents preliminary list; next meeting Dec. 16
Funding
Capital reserve savings
Project cost cap of about $15 million.
Recent news
Built from the district's Diligent Community board portal (agendas, attachments, approved minutes), YouTube meeting-recording transcripts (auto-captions), the district's budget pages and budget book, and policy and plan documents, covering Oct. 2025 to Oct. 2026. Figures marked verified are stated in a collected district document; calculations and outside comparisons are marked context.
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