Administration

Mr. Antonio Santana

May 2025

It’s hard to imagine that we are literally in the final stretch and quickly approaching the end of the school year. As such, May is a month full of exciting events and learning experiences for our learning community. From concerts and art shows to AP Exams and field trips - we are continually looking to highlight and celebrate student talent and provide opportunities for our students to grow and flourish.

The South Country Central School District is presenting a proposed budget that continues to deliver high-quality educational opportunities while staying within the New York State tax levy limit. The proposed 2025-2026 budget totals $147,164,277, reflecting a 2.87% budget-to-budget increase and a 3.48% tax levy increase, which is at the district’s allowable tax cap.

South Country, like many districts across New York State, is confronting a combination of significant fiscal challenges. The expiration of federal relief funds, reductions in both foundation and building aid, and steep, unforeseen increases in costs related to health insurance, transportation, and special education have placed a considerable strain on our budget. At the same time, although enrollment is declining overall, our special education and ENL populations continue to grow, requiring additional staffing to meet mandated services. These realities have forced the district to make difficult decisions to ensure long-term financial stability while continuing to prioritize student needs. These decisions are never made lightly – staff reductions outside of attrition are always a last resort.

As part of our response to these financial realities, staffing reductions across all employee groups have been proposed. This decision, though extremely difficult, ensures that we can continue offering the strong programs that define our district, while aligning staffing levels more closely with current enrollment. Class sizes will remain stable and relatively small, though some restructuring may occur.

The budget proposal supports and preserves the following key programs:

• New high school courses, including Real World Writing and Communication Skills, Lifelong Practices of Readers and Writers 12, Anatomy and Physiology, Science of Well Being, Natural Disasters and Climate Change, AP Psychology and AP African American Studies.
• The Seal of Civic Readiness, the Seal of Biliteracy, and AP Capstone diploma

• The Dual Language Magnet Program, offering bilingual education through seventh grade.
• Our award-winning music program, serving over 1,000 students in grades 4-
• Social-emotional wellness initiatives for students and staff, including a robust restorative practices program.
• Over 60 interscholastic sports teams at the middle and high school
• The Blueprint for Success strategic plan, focused on academic excellence, student experiences, and district operations, set for implementation in 2025-2026.

In addition to the budget vote, Proposition No. 2 seeks voter approval to use up to $2,315,000 from existing capital reserve funds for needed facility improvements at Bellport High School, including track resurfacing, drainage upgrades, visitor bleachers, gym window replacements, and boiler replacements. Importantly, this proposition does not impact the tax levy.

Voters will also elect three members to the Board of Education for three-year terms.

The annual budget vote and Board of Education election will take place on Tuesday, May 20, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bellport Middle School. For more information, please visit the district website at www.southcountry.org. Please come out to vote!

There are a lot of great things that continue to happen in South Country! Credit to our entire staff, community, and Board for working towards the betterment of our learning community. While this has been an extremely challenging budgetary year, we are optimistic about the prospect of a strong ending to this school year and a successful budget vote.

As always, there is lots to be proud of and it really is a great pleasure serving this community as your superintendent of schools.

Sincerely,
Antonio Santana
Superintendent of Schools

Click here to view the letter in Spanish