May 2026 Board of Education Synopsis

Assistant Superintendent for Business Frank Bacchi offered his final presentation in a series of budget presentations for the proposed 2026–2027 school budget during the Annual Budget Public Hearing that preceded the regularly scheduled School Board Meeting. Mr. Bacchi announced the following:

• There will be a zero tax increase on the school property portion of residents’ tax bills. The proposed average tax rate per $100 of assessed valuation is $27.836, or $0.01 less than the current $27.847 (approximately $5 less for 2026–2027).
• Two-thirds of budgetary revenue is represented by state aid, of which the District is expecting to receive $208,779,238, a 1.5% increase over the 2025–2026 budget.
• The District is 0.04% under New York State’s 2% tax levy cap.

Mr. Bacchi said the District’s proposed budget is “very healthy.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sharon A. Dungee added that the budget also includes:

• the Elementary Summer Enrichment Program, which will be hosted at O’Neill Elementary;
• the ESY (Extended School Year) Program, which will be held at Alfano Elementary;
• Summer School, to be held at Central Islip High School.

The proposed budget also includes Phase I of a multi-phase air conditioning installation plan beginning this summer in classrooms at:

• Cordello Elementary
• Mulvey Elementary
• Morrow Elementary
• O’Neill Elementary

Voting for the proposed 2026–2027 budget will be held on May 19 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Alfano School gymnasium.

School Board President Luis Alcantara opened the May 11, 2026 Board of Education Meeting. Highlights from the meeting included:

• CIHS senior Andrea Fuenez has been selected to receive the prestigious Gates Scholarship.
• Aayan Saadi and Lily Salazar have been selected to receive Quest College Preparatory Scholarships.
• Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Jessica Iafrate announced a well-attended job fair held at Central Islip High School that featured over 30 vendors, including representatives from various branches of the military, educational institutions, and trade schools. Guidance counselors collected pamphlets and information to share with students who were unable to attend the fair.
• Mr. Kevin A. Seaman was presented with a plaque from the I AM CI Foundation for his sponsorship and generosity to the Foundation since 2011.
• The Cordello Elementary Chorus and Mulvey Elementary Band were acknowledged for their music performances at two Long Island Ducks games.

In a surprise and welcome announcement, Kevin A. Seaman, Esq., announced that he is establishing the Dr. Sharon A. Dungee Annual Scholarship. This year’s recipients are Sabrina Delgado-Flores and Taylor Burrell-Ford, each of whom will be awarded a $2,500 Dr. Sharon A. Dungee Scholarship.

Miss Delgado-Flores will attend Hofstra University to pursue a degree in nursing and a career as an ER nurse. Miss Burrell-Ford will attend New York University and major in Liberal Studies, with an eventual double major in political science. The Board of Education unanimously accepted Mr. Seaman’s generous gesture to the School District.

School Board member and Memorial Day Parade co-chair Debra Cavanagh invited all to attend the parade on May 25. Details are listed on the District website at CentralIslip.k12.ny.us.

Mr. Alcantara wished all a belated Happy Mother’s Day and announced that the next School Board Meeting will be held on June 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Alfano School Multi-Purpose Room.