Port Washington School Budget Passes By Large Margin

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — The Port Washington School District's 2026-2027 budget passed on Tuesday.

The budget of $205,824,844 passed at 1541-369 votes, or 80.7 percent.

This was an increase of 3.45 percent from the current 2025-2026 $199,007,128.

Julie Epstein and Rachel Gilliar were both elected to the Board of Trustees, and they were running unopposed. Julie Epstein received 1550 votes, and Rachel Gilliar received 1478 votes.

The budget carries a proposed tax levy increase to $172,440,274, which equals an increase of 3.25 percent from the current 2025-2026 tax levy of $167,017,404.

Proposition II passed 1525-276, or 84.7 percent.

Proposition II approved funding of a Repair Reserve, which would allow the district to address unexpected necessary repairs. This would authorize the appropriation of surplus funds from the district's unassigned fund balance at the end of the fiscal year to the Repair Reserve Fund, in such amounts as shall be determined by the Board, the district stated.

Proposition III passed 1548-240, or 86.6 percent.

Proposition III approved spending pre-established funds for electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning upgrades districtwide from its Capital Reserve. This amount would not exceed $3,500,000 and would expend such funds for "replacement, reconstruction, and installation" of HVAC systems, as well as incidental and related costs.

For more information on how the budget will be allocated, click here.