Residents Pass School Budget, Vote Down Controversial Proposition

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Voters approved the proposed 2018 to 2019 school budget for Southampton, with 743 voting "yes" and 534, "no" Tuesday.

The Southampton Union Free School District's proposed 2018 to 2019 budget of $70,436,192 reflects a 2.31 percent tax increase and a 3.31 percent tax levy, according to school officials.

But residents voted down Proposition 3, which would have authorized the district to expend an amount not to exceed $5,197,560 from an existing capital reserve fund for the acquisition and renovation of the property located at 50 Narrow Lane, for a new district office.

Michael Medio, with 694 votes, won a race for one seat on the Board of Education as a result of the vacancy of the position previously held by Heather McCallion; Charles Styler received 482 votes.

According to a budget presentation given by the district, highlights of the budget include enhanced security and school safety measures, including camera replacements, various forms, equipment and supplies, and one additional mental health professional in each building. Financial support for social emotional learning programming will also be provided in all three schools, and the district also plans to build upon live streaming of events and meetings to engage the community.

A total of $466,000, or 25 percent of the budget increase is due to the district's
efforts to address school safety and the social emotional well being of all
students, the district said; positions include one social worker each for the high school and elementary school, one guidance counselor for the intermediate school, one new security guard, and a new secretary for the director of safety, also responsible for conducting residency investigations. The budget includes $25,000 of equipment and upgrades for security personnel, the district said.

The rest of the budget increases are due to salary adjustments as a result of collective bargaining, increases in the costs of health insurance, and an increase in the district's contribution to the teacher's retirement system, district officials said.

Southampton School Superintendent Dr. Nicholas Dyno sent a message to voters before the vote concerning proposition #3, which would have authorized the BOE to expend an amount not to exceed $5,197,560 from the district's existing capital reserve fund for the acquisition and renovation of property located at 50 Narrow Lane in Southampton. The acquisition and renovation will have no impact on the tax levy of the district for the 2018-2019 school year and the approval of the proposition will not impact the 2018 to 2019 tax levy, the district said.

In his message, Dyno said there had been "misinformation" spreading throughout the community regarding one of the propositions on the May 15 ballot.

"As you may know, the Board of Education has decided to place before the voters a proposition which would authorize the release of $5,197,560 from a funded reserve account for the purchase and construction of a district office on 50 Narrow Lane," he wrote. "The proposition is being submitted to the voters after the board conducted a study to assess various options for a new district office, which included reviewing potential locations throughout the district as well as rebuilding on the footprint of the current district office."

Based upon the projections of the district's architect, the total cost of purchasing the building at 50 Narrow Lane and performing renovations is less than the cost of constructing a stick built or modular building on the current footprint, Dyno said. It also does not require the removal of the arboretum or require an additional parking lot on the grounds of Southampton Intermediate School.

Additionally, the purchase of the building would have allowed the district to preserve space near the intermediate school, which could be used to construct an age-appropriate outdoor play area, Dyno said.

Dyno said incorrect information had been spread, "stating that the proposed parking area for 50 Narrow Lane will 'pave athletic fields.' This is incorrect. While the proposed project includes adding additional parking spaces, those parking spaces would be added north of the high school track and would not be on any space currently used by the district's athletic teams," Dyno said.

Other concerns raised, he said, included some that felt the location of the building would have impacted student safety. "The safety of our students is our utmost priority. As part of the district's consideration of purchasing 50 Narrow Lane, the district conducted a SEQRA analysis which determined that moving the district office would not result in a substantial increase in traffic."

Also, Dyno said, the district has administrators in each building who are trained in the procedures of maintaining the safety of students; relocating the district office would not have any affect on those procedures. In addition, the proposed 2018 to 2019 budget includes enhancements to district security, he reminded. "The proposed location for a new district office, therefore, would not have any impact on student safety," Dyno said.

Patch file photo.