Uniondale School District Proposes 2% Tax Increase

District warns of program cuts if tax cap is not exceeded

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:09am

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A serene, dimly lit school hallway with sunlight streaming in through windows, creating a sense of quiet contemplation about the difficult budget decisions facing the district.The proposed tax increase aims to preserve educational programs and services, but could add financial strain on the Uniondale community.Uniondale Today

The Uniondale Board of Education is proposing a nearly $300 million budget that includes a 2% tax increase, in an effort to avoid what they describe as 'devastating' cuts to programs and services. District officials say state aid is only expected to increase by 1% due to declining enrollment, while costs for insurance, transportation, and charter school payments are rising.

Why it matters

Uniondale is one of four Long Island school districts seeking to pierce the state's tax cap, which allows property tax increases above the imposed limit. This move is intended to maintain current levels of funding for schools, but it could put additional financial strain on homeowners in the community.

The details

The proposed 2% tax increase would cost homeowners roughly $121 more per year. District leaders say they are hoping for additional state aid once New York's budget is finalized, but they warn that without exceeding the tax cap and passing the budget, programs and services could face significant reductions.

  • The Uniondale Board of Education presented the budget proposal during a public hearing at Uniondale High School on April 15, 2026.
  • New York state's budget is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, which could impact the level of state aid the district receives.

The players

Monique Darrisaw-Akil

Superintendent of the Uniondale School District.

Michael Cohen

Former superintendent of the Brentwood School District.

Kristal Simms-Murphy

Resident of North Baldwin, New York.

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What they’re saying

“We believe this is responsible. It's a lean budget that acknowledges our community's fiscal reality while ensuring our students remain supported.”

— Monique Darrisaw-Akil, Superintendent

“The state has not finished the budget yet, so districts are in limbo in terms of how much aid they can expect, and this is a district that relies heavily on that funding.”

— Michael Cohen, Former Superintendent

“People want to retire in this community, and it's going to make it very hard if every year or every couple of years, we're piercing the cap.”

— Kristal Simms-Murphy, North Baldwin Resident

What’s next

The Uniondale Board of Education will hold a public vote on the proposed budget on May 15, 2026. If approved, the tax increase would take effect for the 2026-2027 school year.

The takeaway

This budget proposal highlights the difficult financial decisions facing school districts like Uniondale, as they balance the need to maintain educational programs and services with the burden on taxpayers. The outcome of the state budget negotiations and the public vote on the district's proposal will have significant implications for the Uniondale community.