Rockville Centre Schools face $3.7M budget gap, parents demand transparency
To help close the gap, the district has eliminated one administrative position, cut overtime, offered retirement incentives and reduced several teacher assistant positions.
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Parents in the Rockville Centre Union Free School District are demanding answers as the district faces a projected multimillion-dollar budget gap.
During a Board of Education meeting Thursday night, district officials discussed a $3.7 million shortfall for the 2026-27 school year. That comes on top of a $3.5 million gap the district faced this year.
“I can’t see another reason why I should give one more dollar to this district to do less,” one parent said during the meeting.
Another parent called for transparency, saying, “We are asking for a clear itemized explanation of this projection.”
District leaders say rising health insurance costs, inflation and an increase in special education expenses are driving the deficit. Also noting more students are requiring out-of-district placements for special education services, which can significantly increase costs.
“If our programs do not meet students’ needs, then the students should not be to blame. The school needs to strengthen the programs,” another parent said.
To help close the gap, the district has eliminated one administrative position, cut overtime, offered retirement incentives and reduced several teacher assistant positions.
“People don’t have to lose their jobs,” another parent said.
Former Brentwood Superintendent Michael Cohen told News 12 it is unfair to blame special needs students or employees for rising costs. He said districts across Long Island are facing similar financial pressures but are working to adapt without negatively affecting students.
“The responsibility begins and ends with the Board of Education and the superintendent of schools,” Cohen said.
District leaders say they are working with the Board of Education to adjust proposed budget scenarios to close the gap. A final decision is not expected until the spring.
