North Fork School Budget Votes At A Glance

NORTH FORK, NY — As the polls open Tuesday for the 2017 school budget and board of education vote, here's what you need to know about North Fork school districts at a glance.

Greenport Union Free School District

At the Greenport Union Free School District, the Board of Education is asking the public to vote on a ballot proposition that would establish a capital reserve fund for improvements and upgrades to an aging building.

The board of education voted unanimously a resolution at their March 21 meeting to put the ballot proposition to the public on Tuesday, the day of the school budget vote.

“This reserve will represent a financially prudent and wise fiscal position for the taxpayers of Greenport,” Greenport Board of Education President Babette Cornine said.

According to a release from Greenport School Superintendent David Gamberg, the reserve fund would allow the district to place an amount up to $750,000 for each of the next 10 years into the fund, to be used for specific capital improvements in the district.

The reserve would only be funded when monies are available; there may be years where little or no funds are placed into the reserve and other times when funds up to the $750,000 may be placed into the reserve, the release said.

“Many of the district’s reserves are appropriately funded, and this new reserve addresses the critical area of supporting an aging building,” Charles Scheid, assistant superintendent for business, said.

Gamberg added, "This is a great way to save money now for capital improvements in the future that will reduce the level of borrowing, and not increase taxes to make improvements to the school building. This protects the community’s investment in quality facilities.”

Once established, the capital reserve fund requires voter approval for any proposed expenditure, the district said in the release.

“It is very important to note that the voters will have the final say before any funds are expended,” Greenport Board of Education Vice President Kirsten Droskoski said.

According to the resolution, the capital reserve fund, known as the "Facilities Improvement Program 2017" would be used for capital improvements including classroom renovations and upgrades, renovations to the gym, auditorium, cafeteria, library and multi-media center, and a host of other improvements, including security, plumbing and electrical upgrades.

Greenport Union Free School District's 2017-2018 budget of $18,365,500 does not pierce the state tax cap, with a tax levy increase of 3.8 percent and a total budget increase from the current year's of 2.42 percent.

Incumbent Kristen Droskoski is running unopposed for one open seat on the Board of Education.

The budget vote takes place Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Southold Union Free School District

The Southold Union Free School District's budget for 2017 to 2018 is $29,440,000, reflecting an increase of 1.49 percent from the current year — the budget does not pierce the tax cap.

The tax levy increase of 1.52 percent is at the tax levy cap as calculated by using the New York State formula, which includes allowable exclusions.

The budget maintains current programs for students; continued shared costs with the Greenport Union Free School District leads to increased opportunities, the district said.

Scott Latham and Brian Tobin are running for two open seats on the Board of Education.

The budget vote takes place from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District

The proposed budget for 2017-2018 of $40,765,316 reflects an increase of 1.07 percent, and stays under the New York state tax cap; the estimated tax levy increase is 0.0167 percent.

Brian Anderson and Charles Mealy are running unopposed for two open seats on the Board of Education.

Voting takes place from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Oysterponds Union Free School District

The proposed budget school district is $5,704,425, reflecting a budget to budget increase of .487 percent.

Two incumbents, Board of Education President Jeffrey Demarest and Vice President Janice Caulfield are running unopposed for new three year terms.

Paper ballot voting takes place from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

New Suffolk Common School District

The proposed 2017 -2018 budget of 1,111,701 reflects a tax levy increase of 6.5 percent, piercing the tax cap and requiring approval of 60 percent of voters.

Tony Dill is running unopposed for one open seat on the Board of Education.

Voting takes place from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.