Sagaponack's School Tax Levy to Decrease

The Sagaponack School's proposed 2016-17 budget includes funding for a new playground and more money for teachers' salaries, classroom supplies, library books, activities, and field trips. Its administrators have found a way to accomplish all of that while still managing to lower the proposed tax levy.

Alan Van Cott, Sagaponack's superintendent, called it a "fiscally responsible" budget.

The budget, just under $1.8 million, shows an increase in spending of $4,251 while decreasing the tax levy by $1,699, down to just over $1.7 million. Mr. Van Cott explained that the increased spending was offset by additional state funding and more tuition coming in from nonresident students. Of the district's latest enrollment projection of 14 students next year, half are coming from out of the district.

The school is projecting spending less on equipment, since it won't have to repeat its biggest expense in this area from last year: $25,000 to buy suitable desks, chairs, and other equipment for its first-ever kindergarten class. The 2016-17 school year will complete the district's two-year transition from being a school for grades one through four to a school for kindergarten through third grade.

The proposed budget includes $37,000 for a new playground, which will be supplemented by $15,500 in donations from community members.

Voting on the school budget and for one incumbent candidate running for one open seat on the school board, Cathy Hatgistavrou, will take place on Tuesday, May 17, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the school, at 400 Sagg Main Street.