Two Unopposed on Board
Residents of the Amagansett School District can vote on the proposed school budget for the 2013-14 school year on Tuesday between 2 and 8 p.m. in the school gymnasium. Voter registration begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m.
The school board has proposed a 2013-14 budget of $10.2 million, an increase in expenditures of 5.68 percent and a tax levy increase of 3.33 percent. The tax levy increase would be the second lowest in the past 12 years and is within the allowable tax levy cap threshold of 3.45 percent.
A simple majority of votes cast is required for approval of the budget.
Employee benefits, including the teachers’ and employees’ retirement systems, account for the largest increase in the proposed budget, said Eleanor Tritt, the school’s superintendent. Contributions to these benefits are mandated by the state, which sets the rate to be paid into the retirement systems. Salaries and support related to students with special needs are also behind the increase, Ms. Tritt said, as well as health insurance costs.
Voters will be asked to authorize using the school’s capital reserve fund for new security systems. The fund was established in 2007, Ms. Tritt said, for upgrades to technology, energy efficiency, and security, the latter to be accomplished with this authorization.
District residents can also vote for members of the school board. There are two seats available for a three-year term. The candidates, John Hossenlopp and Victoria Smudzinski, are currently members of the board and running unopposed. Mr. Hossenlopp, the president, has been on the board since March 2001. He is a member of the Amagansett Fire Department and is retired from practicing law. Ms. Smudzinski, who works in real estate, has been on the board since July 2007.
A voter must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, a registered voter, and a district resident for at least 30 days prior to Tuesday. Voters do not have to own property, be a parent, or have children in the school. Absentee ballots are available at the school.