The Westbury Union Free School District will halt its tax levy freeze due to rising costs, Acting Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Mary O’Neill said at the district’s Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, March 10.
O’Neill gave a short presentation on the district’s finances and budget planning at the meeting, saying that while the freeze may end, the district is not looking to raise taxes up to the allowable levy limit.
O’Neill said that as state aid increased by 75% from 2021, the board was able to freeze the tax levy for three years from 2020-2023 and decrease it by 5.3% from 2023-2026.
Due to rising costs, however, the board will be unable to sustain another tax freeze for this school year, O’Neill said. The tax cap levy limit is set at approximately $81,000,000, an increase this year of 3.7% for an amount of $2,9000,000.
“The board does not want to do that and has no intention of doing that,” O’Neill said. “Our goal is a target tax increase by 2-2.5%.”
Since the 2020-2021 school year, student enrollment has declined by a rate of 12.3% for a total of 574 students, reducing state funding, which is allotted per pupil.
O’Neill outlined the percentage increase of rising costs for health insurance (9%), property and student accident insurance (14%), charter school tuition (36%), transportation (3%) and contractual salaries (2%).
While the school district’s total budget for 2025-2026 was approximately $201,300,000, the board will adopt its budget for 2026-2027 on Tuesday, April 14, with a budget hearing scheduled for Tuesday, May 5. The budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 19. Further budget presentations are scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, and Monday, March 30.
O’Neill added that the district continues its efforts to balance rising costs while continuing to support programs and students, as shown at the meeting which highlighted both the achievements of Westbury’s student musicians and the financial challenges the district faces moving forward.
During the meeting, the board also honored Justin Palacios, a talented eighth-grade student from the middle school band who has learned how to write music for several instruments. His work stood out to teachers and board members, and he was recognized by the district for his musical ability and dedication.
They played a short sample of an original piece written by Palacios, who has created music for the band’s winter concert. Board members and audience members listened as the band played part of the composition during the meeting.
Band teacher Edward Wilson spoke about the student’s ability and the level of musicianship he has already reached at a young age.
“In eighth grade, this is very advanced musicianship,” Wilson said.
The student received a certificate during the meeting. He was recognized alongside his band teacher for his work and commitment to music. Board member Pless M. Dickerson praised the performance and personally congratulated the student at the meeting.
The board also recognized students who were selected for All-County honors. All-County is a festival that brings together top student musicians from different schools.
Students from both the middle school and high school received these awards. Being chosen is considered a major honor and reflects a student’s hard work and talent.
Students in the band, chorus and orchestra programs were recognized. The range includes middle school students from 6th to 8th grade.
