BELLPORT – South Country School District residents are fuming over the latest budget proposals.
The district adopted a $150.5 million budget for the 2026-27 school year – a 13.45% tax levy hike to address a projected $5.67 million deficit. The budget would pierce the State tax cap, meaning it requires 60% of the vote to pass.
If passed, the massive hike would raise property taxes by about $749 a year for the average homeowner – $62 per month.
The district already slashed $8 million in spending, but this budget would include a cut of about 60 positions. A proposed alternative would reduce the levy to 12.19%, but would cut transportation services.
If the budget is defeated on Tuesday, the district could face a contingency budget, which would eliminate non-essential spending, freeze the tax levy to the previous year;s, and limit expenditures for teachers’ salaries, health/safety expenses, and legal obligations.
Residents feel the issue is a product of long-term fiscal mismanagement. They petitioned for Superintendent Antonio Santana to resign. Others want the entire board to step down.
On May 6, Santana tendered his resignation effective immediately.
“Serving as superintendent of the South Country Central School District has been an honor. I am grateful to have worked alongside dedicated educators, administrators, support staff, families, community partners, and Board members who care deeply about our students. South Country is a special place, and I will always be proud of the progress made on behalf of our children and community,” said Santana in a statement.
The Board of Education appointed John Dolan as Interim Superintendent.
In April 2026, a State Comptroller audit found that the district’s “severe” financial crisis was accompanied by a projected $10.5 million deficit by the end of June. Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s (D-Great Neck Plaza) key findings include “inaccurate estimates” in the Board’s budget “even after accounting for cost-savings measures, including spending freezes and personnel layoffs” that were implemented by the Superintendent and Board.
The district has no available surplus to mitigate the deficit, DiNapoli found. He added that the district would need to borrow $6 million to balance the budget.
“While deficit financing can provide immediate relief, any such borrowing would most likely increase the overall deficit and create future funding gaps due to reliance on debt to pay for operating expenses.”
The South Country School District includes Bellport, Brookhaven hamlet, North Bellport, parts of Shirley, and parts of Yaphank. Election Day is Tuesday, May 19. Polls will be open from 7:00a.m. to 9:00p.m. at the West Gym of Bellport Middle School, 35 Kreamer Street in Bellport.
