March 10, 2026
Hempstead School District faced closure of David Patterson Elementary due to $100M in charter school costs, but the school remains open for the 2025-2026 school year after community pushback.
The Hempstead School District faced a genuine crisis last year. Officials announced plans to close David Patterson Elementary School to address a severe budget shortfall, but the school remains open as the 2025-2026 school year progresses—a rare win for a district still struggling with its finances.
Hempstead School Board President Victor Pratt described the district's financial situation bluntly: "We have a decrease in state aid and we have an increase in cost in charter school tuition. These two forces have placed us in an unsustainable financial position."
The numbers tell the story. Over $100 million annually flows from the Hempstead School District to nearby charter schools—money that would otherwise support traditional public schools. This massive outflow, combined with declining state funding, forced district leaders to consider drastic cuts including the closure of David Patterson Elementary and the loss of 15 teaching positions and 9 administrative roles.
The planned closure didn't happen. According to the Hempstead Classroom Teachers Association, David Patterson Elementary remains open, and every teacher who faced potential layoffs was recalled. New staff have been hired for the 2025-2026 school year.
Teachers also secured a one-year contract agreement that includes a 2.5% salary increase and extended benefits, signaling some stability after months of uncertainty.
While David Patterson Elementary avoided closure, Hempstead's underlying budget crisis persists. State data shows the district will receive a $12 million increase in aid, but that falls far short of addressing the structural problem: charter school enrollment continues to drain resources from the traditional public school system.
For Hempstead families, this remains a critical issue. Parents like Alex Sam expressed real concerns: "I want kids to learn more and get educated. This would affect their education." Nearby, Bellport High School faces deep cuts as South Country District grapples with a $3.49 million budget deficit, showing that Hempstead is far from alone in confronting these financial pressures. Long Island school districts more broadly are facing enrollment pressure with mixed signals across the region.
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