SHBOE: Tax Hike Less Than Expected

The South Huntington School Board last week unanimously approved a tax levy rate of 5.86 percent —  up from last year, but less than expected. 

According to District Superintendent Thomas Shea, the anticipated tax rate of 5.91 percent for the coming year was approved at a reduced rate based on new numbers released by the town assessors office which were slightly less than predicted.

"The assessed valuation came in $21,000 higher than we than we thought it was going to be," said Shea. "That reduces the tax rate increase by a half percent."

Shea said the district projected a $500,000 reduction on a $45 million number and was off by just $21,000. "It's not really good news," he said.

"It's less bad news than we projected," said School Board President Jim Kaden. 

Shea said he did not remember the last time the school board had approved a reduced tax levy which was down from anticipated numbers.

"Unlike previous years where we underestimated the tax assessment drop and we had to use additional fund balance to support the published tax rate — we do not have to do that this year," said Shea.

Other items approved by the school board Oct. 13:

• A trip to the New York State Field Band Championships to Syracuse next in by 75 band students in late-October.
• A trip by six district students to Rochester from Dec. 1-4 to for NYSSMA student performances.
• A volunteer surrogate parent to serve on the Committee of Special Education to represent the interest of a student in rare cases when a parent is not unavailable to serve.
• A donation of $1,500 in used office furniture by the husband of School Board member Lisa Breiff.  
• The selection of Superintendent Shea as one of 13 state superintendents to meet quarterly with the New York Education Commissioner John King. Shea was the only superintendent selected from Suffolk County.