At the Amagansett School Board’s budget presentation Tuesday evening Thomas Mager, the district’s treasurer, discussed the draft budgets for revenue and expenditure.
Most of the proposed revenue, $12,343,346, from property taxes, amounts to a 4-percent increase from last year. Another $244,426 in the draft came from state aid, a 40-percent increase. Board of Cooperative Educational Services aid, meanwhile, would decrease by 8 percent, to $96,958. In total, the proposal accounted for a 3.36-percent increase in revenue.
As for expenditures, salaries, at $5,721,033 the largest portion of the budget, would be an increase of 7 percent, with benefits, at $3,102,290, proposed as an increase also of about 7 percent.
“This is just the first draft,” Mr. Mager said. “It’s going to change.”
This school year, the tuition contract with the East Hampton School District is set to expire, meaning a new five-year contract will be subject to negotiation. At the meeting, the board voted to place the matter on the annual budget ballot.
Additionally, Mr. Mager said the district will consider buying a new school bus, as one in the fleet may not be able to pass inspection.
As for capital projects, reconstruction of the cupola atop the building is set to begin during this month’s winter break. The project is expected to take about 45 days. Mr. Mager also discussed installing new air-conditioning ventilation and improvements to the front walkway, both of which would ideally begin this summer.