The Sewanhaka Board of Education unanimously adopted a $244.7 million budget for the 2023-2024 school year Wednesday night.

The budget represents a $17.3 million, or 7.63%, increase budget-to-budget from the current one of $227,351,685.

The tax levy increases by 2.33% from the current year, which falls under the 2.59% allowable growth factor, which is determined by the state.

State aid accounts for 82.5% of the $17.3 million increase in revenue, totaling $72.2 million, a $14.3 million increase from the current year. State aid numbers are according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget, which has not been finalized yet.

Based on the 2022-2023 district enrollment numbers of 7,770 students, Sewanhaka is spending $31,491.82 per pupil.

Administration costs in the budget, a total of $29,463,085, are increased by 3.23% from the current year while program and capital costs have increased by 7.94% and 10.34%, respectively.

The budget presentation from the March Board of Education meeting included a 4.39% and 7.75% increase for the administrative and capital parts of the budget, respectively.

The curriculum focus in the upcoming school year is expanding science research programs in all schools, implementing financial literacy as a required course to graduate, introducing A.P. courses for Human Body Systems and Computer Science and enhancing the Real Estate and Investment course that is currently offered, among other things.

All five high schools in the district and the district itself will be starting multiple capital improvement projects this upcoming school year at a total cost of $2.4 million.

Elmont Memorial High School projects include replacing two exterior doors, upgrading auditorium light and sound systems, replacing perimeter fencing on the southeast side of the building, window glazing and steam trap replacements and main office upgrades.

There is also a proposition on this year’s ballot to expend $4.25 million from the capital reserve to upgrade cafeterias and kitchens at all four high schools except Sewanhaka, which recently had them done, expanding the career and technical education program facility and general interior upgrades.

Floral Park Memorial High School is set to have two exterior doors replaced, auditorium upgrades for light and sound, boys’ locker room floor and locker replacement and the re-painting of the gymnasium for a total cost of $376,488.

Frank Carey High School capital projects include two exterior door replacements, auditorium light and sound system replacements, window glazing and steam trap replacements and a concrete sidewalk replacement on the west side of the building for $337,932.

New Hyde Park Memorial High School’s upgrades include replacing the exterior groundskeeper door, auditorium light and sound replacements and a concrete sidewalk replacement on the south side for a total of $303,345.

Sewanhaka High School is set to receive restoration to its clock tower, masonry repairs, new interior doors in both locker rooms, auditorium light and sound upgrades and a pump replacement for $464,940.

Districtwide projects include upgrading security cameras, replacing the roof on the district’s storage building and replacing the small bus lot at the Alva T. Stanforth Sports Complex in Elmont for $652,825.

Voting for the Sewanhaka Central High School District will take place on Tuesday, May 16 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.