Residents of every public school district in New York State will head to the polls on Tuesday to weigh in on budget plans, propositions, and school board candidates. Most South Fork districts are staying within state-mandated limits on tax-levy increases, and only two districts have contested school board races. Voting hours vary by district, but here's a preview of what's on the 2022-23 school ballots from Bridgehampton to Montauk.
Amagansett
Proposed budget: $12,659,142
Spending increase: $749,953 (6.3 percent)
Tax-levy increase: 2.94 percent (meets tax cap)
Details: The budget preserves all current programs and services, and adds money for "increases in additional teaching staff to meet the needs of the student population, health insurance premiums and other required employee benefits, contractual obligations, and building maintenance needs." Spending on general and special education programs, school busing, technology, and tuition will collectively rise by about 4 percent, up to $10.06 million. The district is also tapping a surplus account for $1.26 million to offset what would otherwise have been a larger budget increase. The two additional ballot measures will come from a reserve account, meaning they are not expected to further increase taxes. Taxes on a typical house assessed at $6,000 (the fair market value would be about $1 million) would rise by about $52 for the year.
Additional proposition: Authorization to use $450,000 for repairs to the building's exterior
Additional proposition: Authorization to buy a new school bus at a cost of $59,882
Library budget proposition: $1,275,031
Board candidates (two open seats): Kristen Peterson (incumbent) and Wayne Gauger
Voting hours: 2 to 8 p.m. in the school gym
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Bridgehampton
Proposed budget: $20,957,637
Spending increase: $299,025 (1.5 percent)
Tax-levy increase: 1.56 percent (meets tax cap)
Details: "This proposed budget will build upon our past successes and provide a foundation for future advancements," the superintendent, Mary Kelly, said. The proposed tax-levy increase is among the district's lowest since the tax cap was instituted in 2012. Spending on student programs is expected to rise by about 1 percent, while administrative spending would rise by 14 percent and capital spending would drop by about 9 percent. Bridgehampton also plans to apply $800,000 from a surplus account and tap into some of its reserves to offset budget increases and the rising cost of retirement contributions for teachers and other employees. The tax rate would rise by about 3 cents, up to $1.97 per $1,000 of a property's assessed value.
Additional proposition: Renewal of three-year leases for the farm stand properties adjacent to the school campus at a cost of $3,000
Board candidates (two open seats): Jennifer Vinski (incumbent) and Carla Lillie (incumbent)
Voting hours: 2 to 8 p.m. in the school gym
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East Hampton
Proposed budget: $76,502,823
Spending increase: $1,345,578 (1.79 percent)
Tax-levy increase: 1.75 percent (meets tax cap)
Details: "We focused on student learning and student social-emotional growth," said Adam Fine, the district superintendent. Increases in the budget are driven by the need to purchase new curriculum materials and six school buses, securely manage student data, pay for employee benefits, and support special education, career training, and related services. All student programs and staffing levels are maintained. Additionally, voters are asked to approve a new reserve account that would allow the district to set aside money for emergency building repairs. If the budget is approved, a property owner with an assessed value of $6,000 would see taxes rise by about $49 for the year.
Additional proposition: Authorize the creation of a new repair reserve
Board candidates (three open seats): J.P. Foster, Sandra Vorpahl, Justine O'Mara Limonius
Voting hours: 1 to 8 p.m. in the district offices, 4 Long Lane
Related coverage:
- New Buses, No Layoffs Among East Hampton Budget Highlights
- Balancing Needs and Wants in School Budgets
Montauk
Proposed budget: $21,030,735
Spending increase: $441,188 (2.14 percent)
Tax-levy increase: 1.72 percent (under tax cap)
Details: Tuition for Montauk's population of high school students is expected to rise by $193,586, or 3.9 percent. The district is applying close to $250,000 more in surplus funds over last year's appropriation to offset rising expenses that also include salaries and benefits for employees. Total spending on programs and services for children would rise by $404,294, making up more than 84 percent of the proposed budget. The tax rate would rise by about $9, up to $522.38 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Board candidates (one seat): Kelly White (incumbent)
Voting hours: 2 to 8 p.m. in the school gym
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Sag Harbor
Proposed budget: $45,993,327
Spending increase: $1,121,788 (2.5 percent)
Tax-levy increase: 2.5 percent (under tax cap)
Details: "The proposed budget is under the tax levy cap for the 11th straight year," the school district said in a recent budget breakdown, "while preserving all programs, extracurricular activities, athletics, and the continued investment in instructional technology and equipment." A proposed HVAC project would cost $2.5 million, but school officials said it would not increase taxes because the money is already set aside in a capital reserve account; voter approval is required to spend it. A homeowner with a property valued at $1 million can expect to pay just under $114 more in taxes for the year.
Additional proposition: Authorize spending $2.5 million from the capital reserve fund for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning upgrades
Board candidates (two seats open): Grainne Coen (on the ballot), Ronald Reed (write-in candidate), Heather Hartstein (write-in candidate), Janice D'Angelo (write-in candidate)
Voting hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Pierson Middle and High School gym
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Sagaponack
Proposed budget: $1,871,748
Spending increase: $139,085 (8 percent)
Tax-levy increase: 17.12 percent (above tax cap)
Details: Because its budget proposal is above tax cap limitations, Sagaponack needs a supermajority of at least 60 percent voter approval for it to pass. If that occurs, the projected tax rate is set to rise by about 4 cents, up to $0.27 per $1,000 assessed value. The school is sending eight students up to fourth grade next year, which is an unusually large number for Sagaponack, so tuition costs are rising. The cost of maintenance on the one-room schoolhouse is also going up, as is employee benefit spending. If the budget fails to gain approval, a revote may be held. Should that, too, fail, a contingency plan with zero tax increase will result, which typically requires districts to cut spending on existing programs and services to be able to accommodate rising costs.
Board candidates (one seat open): Cathy Hatgistavrou (incumbent)
Voting hours: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the schoolhouse
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Springs
Proposed budget: $32,888,886
Spending increase: $2,088,752 (6.78 percent)
Tax-levy increase: 5.46 percent (meets tax cap)
Details: Similar to its neighboring feeder districts, Springs is facing a double whammy with increases in tuition rates for high school students as well as the number of students. Questions also remain about layoffs of special education teachers and/or aides, which is contingent upon the district's ever-changing enrollment. However, Debra Winter, the superintendent, assured community members in April that "what children need the most is in this budget. There is nothing extra." Also, Springs's first debt payment of $1.1 million is coming due on the 20-year bond it took out to pay for a recent renovation and expansion project. School officials have said the new playground would not increase taxes because the money is already set aside in a reserve account for that purpose. Under the proposed spending plan, a Springs taxpayer with a house assessed at $6,000, or a market value of about $1 million, can expect to pay an additional $366 in the coming fiscal year.
Additional proposition: Authorize spending $135,000 for a new school bus
Additional proposition: Authorize spending $480,000 from a capital reserve fund to build a new kindergarten/first grade playground
Board candidates (two seats open): Hella Drew, Summer Romeo, Erik Fredrickson, Emma Field
Voting hours: 1 to 9 p.m. in the school library
Related coverage:
- Springs Unveils Playground Design
- Springs Snips and Clips the Budget
- Balancing Needs and Wants in School Budgets
Wainscott
Proposed budget: $4,127,568
Spending increase: $298,551 (7 percent)
Tax-levy increase: 10.72 percent (above tax cap)
Details: The district was able to cut spending in eight of the last 11 school years, but the coming year is different. Increased costs for tuition, for both general and special education students in the fourth grade and up, are hitting the school's bottom line hard, but David Eagan, the school board president, has said it is largely out of Wainscott's control. The district will need at least 60 percent of voter approval -- a supermajority -- to pass the budget. If it's approved, taxpayers can expect to pay $4 or $13 more per $1,000 of assessed value, depending whether they live on the Southampton or East Hampton side of the district, respectively. A failed budget means a revote in June; should the budget fail twice, a contingency plan with no tax-levy increase would be instituted, likely leading to many budget cuts. However, Mr. Eagan said, even overriding the state cap would mean the tax rate in Wainscott remains "one of the lowest of the East End school districts by a wide margin."
Additional proposition: Approve a new five-year contract with the Bridgehampton School to allow families, if they choose, to send their children there for fourth grade and up
Board candidates (one seat open): William Babinski Jr. (incumbent)
Voting hours: 2 to 8 p.m. at the new schoolhouse
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