March 31, 2026 Board of Education Meeting

The March 31, 2026, Board of Education meeting for Sachem Schools focused heavily on budget discussions and capital improvement projects for the 2026-27 school year. The board reviewed a proposed $387.9 million budget with a 1.83% increase from the previous year, including a $9 million transfer to capital for boiler and roof replacements, CTE room and IT renovations, and restroom upgrades. A notable budget adjustment involved shifting $450,000 from parking lot work at Samoset to East High School to expand parking spaces. The board also discussed the challenges and financial implications of transitioning the school bus fleet to electric vehicles by 2035, including the need for infrastructure upgrades and potential grant opportunities. Transportation issues were a significant concern, with ongoing problems in bus routing and service reliability leading to a decrease of nearly $870,000 in the transportation budget for the next year. The board addressed internal audit findings, focusing on transportation efficiency and contractor performance, and considered strategies such as contracting with parents for student transport and involving BOCES to alleviate route shortages. Several motions related to budget adoption, contracts, personnel, and field trips were passed unanimously. The meeting also included student recognitions and updates on extracurricular activities.