East Islip residents are expressing outrage over a school tax increase of up to 27 percent.

School district officials say the tax hike will be necessary because of previous administrations that balanced the budget by using cash reserves. Officials also say there is serious talk of cutting staffing, athletics and electives, but add that a tax increase of 15 percent would still be necessary.

Taxpayers rejected an 8.7 percent increase in the budget proposal last year, so many believe it unlikely that a 27 percent increase would be approved. A budget workshop will be held in East Islip Tuesday night.