Garden City School Budget Passes By Large Margin

GARDEN CITY, NY — The Garden City School District's 2026-2027 budget passed on Tuesday.

The Garden City School District's budget of $142,385,117 was approved with 682 "yes" votes and 172 "no" votes.

This is an increase of 3.36 percent from the current 2025-2026 $137,760,845

Incumbent Elizabeth Gaffney was re-elected to the Trustees of the Board of Education. Gaffney received 703 votes and ran unopposed.

Proposition II (expenditure from capital reserve fund and capital funds) was approved 700-156, and Proposition III (establishment of new capital reserve fund) was approved 699-139.

Proposition II will allow the district to use $13,685,000 in capital reserve funds and uncommitted capital funds to replace the roofs at the middle school, Hemlock, and the administration building. These funds will also go towards replacing windows at the middle school, with the window-replacement project also funded partially through a transfer to capital in the operating budget. The district said funds from the capital reserve are not part of the 2026-2027 budget, and that there will be no additional tax impact for residents if this proposition is approved.

Proposition III will establish a capital reserve fund in an ultimate amount not to exceed $11 million. This will be used to finance future building renovations and infrastructure needs. Spending from this fund must be authorized by district residents. If this proposition is approved, there will be no impact on the budget or tax levy.

The budget carries a proposed tax levy increase, which equals an increase of 2.98 percent from the current 2025-2026 tax levy of $114,698,220. This amount remains in the district's allowable cap of 2.98 percent. The tax levy includes STAR, which is a school tax relief program offering property tax relief to eligible NYS homeowners.