Time to Vote For Budgets and Boards

Voters can go to their polling places on Tuesday to give their respective school district budgets the thumbs-up or down, though the turnout is not expected to be large. In several places — Sag Harbor, Amagansett, and Montauk — there are contested races for school board positions; in others, the incumbents stand unopposed.

Over all, we sense a degree of satisfaction with the schools, the unexpected opt-out test mess notwithstanding. Complacency may come from a feeling of futility; budgets are sharply constrained by a state cap on tax increases, and curriculum largely set by the Department of Education. Disinterest may also play a role. A larger, consolidated educational system here might well spur board of education races and capture public interest, while providing financial and programmatic advantages. That, however, is not on Tuesday’s ballots.

In East Hampton, we are pleased to see John Ryan Sr. seek to return to the school board. The current group appears in lock-step with the district administration too frequently, reflexively defending its missteps, as in a recent spate of criticism from some Latino students’ parents over pressure they thought had been put on them to get their children to take the disputed Common Core tests. It is also vaguely unsettling that the three incumbents, Christina DeSanti, Liz Pucci, and Deme Minskoff, are seeking to retain their seats as a bloc. That alone might well be an argument in Mr. Ryan’s favor. However, his strong advocacy for a fully realized youth aquatic safely program is well worth voters’ returning him to the board for what would be a seventh term. Our picks are Mr. Ryan, Ms. Minskoff, and Ms. DeSanti.

Montauk’s race for one seat pits Carmine Marino Jr., a newcomer, against Diane Hausman, the school board president. Ms. Hausman has been a Montauk School Board member for 20 years. Mr. Marino is a Montauk fire commissioner who has made an issue of the school board’s need for more openness, a valid point. However, Ms. Hausman earns our endorsement in recognition of her experience and steady hand.

While Springs does not have a contested board position, an important referendum will be on the ballot: whether to use $2 million from a reserve fund for reconfiguring vehicle drop-off areas. We support this with misgiving; the last time the district took on a large project of this type, an unsightly and widely hated blacktop bus parking area was the community’s reward. The board must do better this time if the money is authorized on Tuesday, which it should be.

In Amagansett, the choice is between Mary Lownes, a 13-year incumbent, and Steve Graboski, a newcomer. Ms. Lownes should cruise to re-election.

Sag Harbor’s board race is a lively one, with five in the mix for three seats. Right off the bat, we cannot support Tommy John Schiavoni, who as a board member has opposed video recording of the public comment portion of board meetings for the flimsiest reasons. The other incumbent, Chris Tice, deserves re-election. Stephanie Bitis and James Sanford round out a good slate.

Ballot hours vary by district. A list of times can be found in this issue and on school websites. Whatever you decide and whomever you support, please vote.