school budgets

Myriad rising costs are impacting the bottom line in the East Hampton School District, where, for the first time in a decade, and only the second time in the history of New York State’s cap on tax-levy increases, the district is seeking voter approval for an over-the-tax-cap budget plan.

Sag Harbor began examining its 2022-23 budget on Monday, starting off by cracking open its largest nut — salaries and benefits for employees — with the school business administrator, Jennifer Buscemi, noting that “all numbers are subject to change based on additional information received after this date.”

In a pandemic environment that has cost the school district more than $600,000 so far, and against the fiscal pressure of New York State's cap on tax levy increases, East Hampton school officials are holding the line on budget increases wherever possible as they develop their 2021-22 school spending plan.