East Hampton Town School Budgets All Pass

EAST HAMPTON, NY — Voters have spoken, and the results are in for school budget votes for districts in East Hampton Town, as well as for local Board of Education races.

East Hampton Union Free School District

Despite a lower turnout than usual, the voters passed the 2017-2018 budget by an "overwhelming" majority, according to district sources, 291 to 53.

The $68.3 million budget for the 2017-2018 school year represents a 2.38 percent increase.

Board of education candidates Jacqueline Lowey and John Ryan, Sr. ran unopposed, with Lowey receiving 278 votes and Ryan, 302.

Voters also green-lighted proposition to establish a capital reserve fund for future district-wide and capital improvements 241 to 96.

Springs Union Free School District

The 2017-2018 $28.1 million budget passed 298 to 105.

The budget reflects a 1.75 percent increase and a 2.15 percent tax levy increase.

"This is the sixth consecutive year that the district has remained within the tax cap while continuing to provide our students with the tools for a successful learning experience. The proposed spending plan preserves all programs and services and includes additional teaching positions due to enrollment growth, as well as the expansion of our athletic program," the district said in a mailer.

In addition, the race for Board of Education heated up recently when incumbent Timothy Frazier, who is seeking re-election, was joined by write in candidates Donna Sutton, Patrick Brabant, and Ivonne Tovar-Morales, all vying for two open seats.

Frazier and Brabant won; Frazier received 209 votes and Brabant, 176.

Also on the ballot was a proposition to purchase one large bus, which was approved 289 to 114.

Amagansett Union Free School District

Residents voted to approve a proposed 2017-2018 budget of $10.7 million budget, 146 to 59.

The budget reflects a 1.96 percent budget increase and a 2.27 percent tax levy increase. A proposition also on the table to approve expenditure of reserve funds to replace the gymnasium ceiling was passed 179 to 125.

Three seats on the Board of Education were available. Candidates Patrick Bistrian III, Anna Bernasek, and Dawn Rana-Brophy were joined recently in the race by write in contenders Claudia Quintana and Mary Eames.

The winners were Bistrian, with 122, Quintana, with 115, and Rana-Brophy with 111.

Montauk School District

The district's proposed $18.8 million budget for 2017-2018 passed, 115 to 8.

The budget reflects a decrease in tax rate of 1.16 percent

Incumbent Board of Education member Kelly White ran unopposed and garnered 112 votes.