Freeport Public Schools is committed to providing a nurturing and supportive learning environment that fosters academic excellence, social-emotional growth, and civic engagement. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, the district prepares students to thrive as responsible global citizens in an ever-changing world.
During the Board of Education Budget Workshop meetings in February and March, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kishore Kuncham unveiled the proposed 2024-2025 school budget, featuring a 1.9% decrease in the tax levy for community taxpayers. This marks the ninth decrease in the tax levy over the past decade. Once again, the district brings an educationally and fiscally responsible budget that not only maintains robust programming at no additional cost to the taxpayer but also with a tax levy decrease.
Dr. Kuncham emphasized the district's dedication to enhancing educational opportunities without placing additional financial burdens on taxpayers while preserving the current programs, services and staffing. He stated, "While there is still a lot of information to be solidified regarding New York State’s final budget and school aid, Freeport Public Schools is proud to bring several new programs and services to our students during the 2024-2025 school year, while still decreasing the tax levy by 1.9%."
The proposed budget is built with the whole child-centered approach in mind and includes several recommendations to support and enrich district services, programs, and curriculum. Some of the highlights include:
- Hiring of additional instructional and non-instructional staff throughout the district to support new and existing programs and services.
- On-site CTE Clinical Medical Assistant Program at Freeport High School.
- Introduction and expansion courses at Freeport High School: American Sign Language II, Introduction to Computer Science and Cyber Security, Quantum Information Science and Mathematics, Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Topics in Geometry, Movement and Mindfulness, and Advanced Digital Photography.
- Expansion of the Mariachi program to J.W. Dodd Middle School.
- New instruments for District Ensemble programs.
- The continued enhancement of classroom spaces with flexible furniture throughout the district.
- New curriculum materials to support instruction in the Next Generation Science Standards in grades K-2 and a math intervention program. Also, English Language Arts Writing Curriculum material and a Computational literacy platform for grades K-12.
- The continued enhancement of the schools with an investment of $16 million dollars on capital projects throughout the district.
The proposed budget includes two propositions, one of which will allow additional students at Caroline G. Atkinson intermediate school and J.W. Dodd middle school to receive transportation. The change of mileage limits will allow an additional 400 students to receive transportation. The two propositions are:
- Utilization of Capital Reserve Funds: A proposed proposition to utilize $2.5 million from capital reserve funds for districtwide capital projects, with no impact on the tax levy.
- Modification of Transportation Mileage Limit: A proposed proposition to reduce the transportation mileage limit for J.W. Dodd Middle School and Caroline G. Atkinson Intermediate School to 0.75 miles, allowing more students to access school transportation will be significantly offset by state aid and other revenues with no additional impact on the tax levy.
Overall, once again there will be a tax levy decrease, nine out of the last 10 years. Dr. Kuncham also addressed the importance of advocacy, the potential cuts in state aid to school districts and urged community residents to advocate to ensure fair funding allocation. He expressed gratitude for the community's continued support throughout the budget process and encouraged ongoing advocacy efforts.
For more information regarding the 2024-2025 proposed budget, community members are encouraged to visit the district’s website at www.freeportschools.org.