East Hampton voters came out Tuesday in support of the 2026-27 school budget and three additional bond proposals that will allow the district to make major upgrades at all three of its schools and add an indoor pool and indoor athletic facility at the high school.
The $89.9 million budget is tax-cap compliant, with a spending increase of just under $1.8 million (2.02 percent) and a tax-levy increase of 2.22 percent. It passed 475-95. The bonds total $128 million. (Budgets were also approved in all other districts from Sagaponack to Montauk, covered elsewhere in The Star.)
“I am incredibly proud to be the superintendent of this school district,” Adam Fine said Tuesday night before starting to cry. “I am so thankful and grateful for the community support for the budget, the bond propositions. It’s really going to put this district in incredible shape for the next 20 years.”
Kathy Masterson, the district’s athletic director, who is retiring after this school year, was whooping with joy after the results were announced. “I’m so proud of this community for always stepping up and caring about our kids and our community, because this is not just something that our kids will get to utilize, but our entire community. It is a testament to East Hampton and its support of our kids and their future.”
Voters also elected Kimberly Sarris Royal, a newcomer, to the school board with the most votes of any candidate, 348. Emily Agnello was re-elected with 334 votes. John Ryan Sr. received 308 votes but was not re-elected. Only the top two candidates would make the cut, filling two available board seats for a three-year term starting July 1.
Ms. Sarris Royal was at a loss for words after the votes were announced. “I’m honored and slightly emotional,” she said. Upon leaving the school library she told Mr. Ryan that she had big shoes to fill.
“I’m sad to see John Ryan not be part of our board anymore,” said J.P. Foster, the board president. “I think this would’ve been his 11th term. He’s given everything to East Hampton that he possibly could. We wish him well and we welcome Kimberly.” Meanwhile, Mr. Foster was ecstatic about the votes in support of the budget and the bonds. “I’ve had some great nights, but this is probably the best. I can’t believe the amount of support that our district taxpayers have given to this school district and the trust that they have given us and put in us.”
The budget preserves all academic programs for prekindergarten through 12th grade, allocates funds for necessary mandatory costs, and transfers $1.23 million to replace the boiler at East Hampton Middle School.
The first bond proposition, worth $63.96 million, does not increase taxes because it will replace expiring debt with new debt. It includes district-wide structural and safety upgrades, along with a renovated auditorium, stadium lights, and outdoor bathrooms at the high school, as well as a mobile concession trailer for use throughout the district. The middle school, too, will get a renovated auditorium, and the John M. Marshall Elementary School will get a gymnasium sound system, a new gym floor and stage, kitchen improvements, and new multipurpose rooms for music and those with sensory needs. That bond passed 431-130.
The second bond proposition, worth $45.68 million, funds an indoor pool with a diving board at East Hampton High School that will be available for both student instruction (in swimming as well as pool maintenance and development) and public use. For an average taxpayer with an assessed home value of $6,000, the pool building will cost $203.26 a year over the next 20 years. It passed 398-211.
The third proposition, totaling $18.535 million, covers an indoor athletic space with a basketball court and indoor turf field at the high school. It could be used for volleyball, pickleball, and other sports and will also be open to the community. For an average taxpayer with an assessed home value of $6,000, the indoor athletic facility will cost $82.53 a year for the next 20 years. It passed 341-226.
Todd Gulluscio, the incoming athletic director, also attended the final vote count and was thrilled about what these propositions will mean for the district’s student athletes. “It’s huge. It really is. To see the work and the passion and the investment the community has been putting in, but now has put in tenfold with these beautiful facilities, I’m really, really excited.”
The projects are so vast, it will take years to complete the work, but the administration said it is eager to dive in. “I’m looking forward to the input as we go forward in building all of the stuff we’ve talked about,” Mr. Fine said. “It’s going to be an incredible next few years. And who’s going to benefit? The community and the kids. I’m so excited for that.”