Sachem School Budget Vote, Board Election Tuesday

Sachem voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots on a proposed 2015-16 school budget and for school board candidates.

The proposed $296.07 million budget represents a 0.64 percent spending increase over the current year and it includes a 2.24 percent hike in the school tax levy, which is within the district’s state tax cap.

If the budget is approved, the average homeowner in the district would pay an additional $126 in school taxes next year. School officials, however, say the average homeowner will receive a $232 state rebate check, making a homeowner’s net cost in 2015-16 the same as it was in the 2013-14 school year.

In addition to the proposed budget, there are five candidates running for three seats on the Sachem Board of Education. Incumbents Michael Isernia and Robert Scavo are seeking re-election. Challengers Kelli Burnham, William A. Coggin and Laura Slattery round out the five-candidate slate. It’s an at-large election so the top-3 vote getters will win seats on the board. Incumbent Douglas Duncan Jr. is not seeking re-election.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at all Sachem elementary schools.

Read more about what’s included in the proposed budget here.

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• Robert Scavo: Why You Should Re-Elect Me to the Sachem School Board
• Laura Slattery: Why You Should Elect Me to the Sachem School Board