The Port Jefferson School District presented the first draft of the 2019-20 school budget, which is the first school budget in the post Town of Brookhaven and Long Island Power Authority property tax reassessment settlement. Presentations were made at the January 22 Board of Education Work Session and the January 24 School-Community Connection session (see attachments). Additional presentations and discussions will be held throughout the budget development process.

Through meetings, emails, letters, and phone calls with Brookhaven Town officials, school leaders learned how the details of the Town’s settlement would impact the school district. The Town of Brookhaven and LIPA property tax reassessment settlement represents a 50 percent reduction in the Port Jefferson’s main power plant’s assessment over a nine-year glide path beginning in 2018-19. As a result, 2019-20 represents the first and second years for the district and a six percent reduction in LIPA’s assessment.

The first draft of the school budget stays within the estimated tax levy cap. It represents one of the lowest increases in the property tax levy since the tax levy cap was enacted in the 2013-14 school year. The estimated cap for the 2019-20 school year is 1.18 percent. The draft budget represents a budget reduction of approximately -$230,000.

Information about the targeted reductions will be shared as we progress through budget development. The district is prepared for the challenge of scrutinizing discretionary spending as we continue to provide an outstanding educational program for students.