Greenport School Budget Vote Passes Handily

GREENPORT, NY — Voters turned out to support the Greenport Union Free School District's 2022 to 2023 budget Tuesday — the budget passed by a wide margin, with 320 "yes" votes and 107 "no" ballots cast, according to Board of Education member Kirsten Droskoski.

In the race for Board of Education, with three candidates vying for two open seats, Jaime Martilotta won the race with 317 votes, followed by Emily Latham Whitecavage with 258 .Babette Cornine received 180 votes, she said.

The Floyd Memorial Library budget passed, 287 to 104.

The Greenport Union Free School District's $21,627,457 budget reflects a 5.75 percent spending increase; the budget has a tax levy increase of 3.11 percent, which does not pierce the state tax cap, Greenport School Superintendent Marlon Small said.

"The last two years have been very challenging for the Greenport school community, as we have worked to meet the educational, social and emotional needs of students in the midst of a pandemic," Small said in his budget message. "We are confident that the proposed budget will enable us to continue to meet the vital needs of our students, staff and school community."