School tax rate set 4.60% higher after LIPA tax settlement

What happened

On September 30, 2026 the board set the 2026-27 school tax levy at $136,848,822 and the tax rate at $323.5034 per $100 of assessed value, a 4.60% rate increase. In May voters were told to expect 3.29% to 4.34%. The district said a settlement between LIPA and the Town of Brookhaven moved LIPA's property off the tax roll, which raises the rate for other taxpayers.

Why it matters to families

Homeowners will pay a higher rate than the range shared before the May vote. The district said the change is outside its control, and the settlement is only for one year, so next year's rate is uncertain.

The evidence

Adopted-draft minutes record the levy, the rate and the 4.60% increase, and list the budget of $252,223,893 and State aid of $101,031,263. In the recording (auto-generated captions) the business official said the home assessed at $2,800 that was told to expect about $285.12 more would now see about $113.54 more than that, and that LIPA's payments become a payment in lieu of taxes. The minutes list the LIPA / Town of Brookhaven tax settlement as a presentation item.

The source