Board of Education Meeting May 7, 2026

The Brentwood Union Free School District Board of Education held a formal budget hearing on May 7, 2026, to present and discuss the proposed $727 million budget for the 2026-2027 school year. The assistant superintendent for finance and operations detailed a $38 million increase over the previous year, driven primarily by certificated salaries, benefits, and utilities. The budget includes a 2.5% tax levy increase and a $36 million transfer to capital projects, which will fund significant facility improvements such as air conditioning installations, classroom additions for UPK programs, security enhancements including new cameras and door access systems, and various HVAC and infrastructure upgrades across multiple schools. The board also discussed two separate propositions related to transportation safety zones for the freshman campus and high school, which would add approximately $1 million to the budget if approved. Questions from the community addressed budget transparency, salary allocations, tax exemptions, and the impact of state aid, which constitutes about 74% of the district's revenue but remains uncertain due to the pending state budget. The district emphasized fiscal responsibility, ongoing capital improvements funded through transfers rather than borrowing, and maintaining educational programs despite financial challenges.