Mattituck-Cutchogue's School Budget Approved By Voters

MATTITUCK, NY — Voters turned out in overwhelming support of the Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District's 2022 to 2023 budget Tuesday.

The budget passed by a margin of 524 to 156.

With three candidates vying for two open Board of Education seats, including incumbents Jennifer Anderson and George Haase, as well as Jacqueline Zappulla, the winners were Haase with 453 votes and Anderson with 450; Zappulla received 318 votes.

The proposed $42,829,297 2022 to 2023 budget for the Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District reflects an increase of 1.84 percent and a tax levy increase of 1.45 percent.

A proposition that would allow the district to utilize the remainder of the capital reserve fund, voted upon in 2018 — which would not affect the tax levy and is not to exceed $4,280,391 — to construct a STEM wing in the high school and re-coat segments of the roof at Cutchogue East and Mattituck Jr./Sr. High School, passed 551 to 129.

A third proposition allowing the district to establish a 10-year, $10 million capital reserve fund, to be used for maintain and improve the infrastructure of the schools, passed 513 to 166.

The fund, once established, must have voter approval, the district said.

"In our ever-changing world, it is imperative that we plan and prepare our students for the world they will be entering," the Mattituck-Cutchogue Board of Education said.