Deer Park School Budget Preview, Candidates On Ballot for 2026-2027

DEER PARK, NY — Deer Park School District residents will head to the polls Tuesday, May 19, to vote on the district’s proposed $161,317,243 budget for the 2026-27 school year and elect new members to the Board of Education.

District officials said the proposed spending plan represents a $7,997,135 increase over the current year’s budget, a 5.21 percent increase overall.

The district said the proposed property tax levy would total $82,604,050, a 2.12 percent increase over the current year and within the state tax cap formula.

According to district projections, the tax rate would increase from $239.50 to $245.38 per $100 of assessed value. A home assessed at $3,500 would pay approximately $8,588 annually in school taxes.

District officials said state aid is projected at approximately $59.65 million, up from about $56.43 million this year. However, officials noted during the May 12 budget hearing that the New York State budget had not yet been finalized at that time, leaving the final increase in state aid unknown.

The district currently serves approximately 4,024 students and projects enrollment of 3,878 students for the 2026-27 school year. Deer Park employs 395 teachers and operates five school buildings.

Several programs and initiatives supported in recent years include full-day prekindergarten, AP African American Studies, intramurals, investigative science kits, upgraded security cameras, and additional bilingual classes at JFK Elementary School.

The district has several planned projects and initiatives moving forward, including outdoor bathrooms and a concession stand at Deer Park High School, an outdoor basketball court at Robert Frost Middle School, leasing new buses and parking lot improvements at JFK Elementary School.

Budget documents also show continued investments in security, facilities and infrastructure districtwide. The proposed security budget totals approximately $1.26 million, reflecting increases for staffing and equipment.

Board Of Education Election

Voters will also elect candidates to two open seats on the Board of Education.

Incumbents Al Centamore and Donna Grulli Grunseich are not seeking re-election.

Alicia Freda is running for one open seat, while Valerie St. Bernard and Andrew Reina are competing for the second available seat. The terms are for three years.

Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Deer Park High School gymnasium. Residents can visit the district website to confirm voter eligibility and registration status.