Southampton Union Free School District Budget Approved By Voters

The budget passed by a landslide vote of 585 to 193.

The district's proposed $74,990,000 budget reflects a spending increase of 1.34 percent and a 2.31 percent tax levy increase, below the tax levy cap.

Voters also weighed in on a number of propositions, including spending $4,900,000 from the existing capital reserve fund for the acquisition of property located at 300 and 310 Hampton Road for an administrative office. That measure passed, 563 to 210.

Also, voters will decide on a proposition that would establish a 10-year capital reserve fund of $2.5 million for technology equipment and infrastructure upgrades, funded from budget surplus and appropriations. The measure passed 610 to 161.

Another proposition would authorize the Board of Education to undertake capital improvements, including renovating or replacing three HVAC units in Southampton High School; renovating and/or installing an HVAC system in the Southampton garage bay area; renovating or replacing the planetarium at Southampton High School to install new seating, carpeting, and wall coating; performing roof repairs at Southampton Elementary School; installing outdoor fitness center equipment and an outdoor basketball court, with related surface materials and fencing; and boiler repairs at Southampton Intermediate School, all at a cost of $1,480,000, from the 2017 10-year capital reserve fund. None of the propositions impact the tax levy, the district said.
Voters approved that proposition, as well, by a wide margin of 651 to 121.
Two candidates, Germain L. Smith and Robert Scott Gaeckle, ran for one open seat to replace Michael G. Medio, whose term expires on June 30. Smith emerged the winner with 517 votes; Gaeckle garnered 215.