Voter's Guide: Southampton School Budget, Board of Education Election

SOUTHAMPTON, NY - Southampton residents will vote on the school district’s $67,731,464 proposed budget for the 2016-17 school year on Tuesday, May 17.

The total budget increase is 4.04 percent while the tax rate would decrease by .94 percent over the current year’s rate if the budget is approved, because assessments are up.

The estimated annual school tax increase on a property with an assessed value of $500,000 will be $1,177.05, a reduction from this year of $11.20.

Board of Education election

Five candidates are running for two seats on the Southampton Board of Education.

Donna Gagliardo, James McKenna, Jacqueline Robinson, Tracey Kozalka, and Anastasia Gavalas are running to fill the two empty seats.

The candidates are running for four year terms commencing July 1and expiring on June 30, 2020, to succeed Nicholas Palumbo and Jake Wilson, whose terms expire on June 30.

In addition, residents will vote on proposition 3, to authorize $7,750,000 from the district's "Southampton Property Acquisition Facility Construction Capital Reserve Fund," for the acquisition and renovation of property located at 300 and 310 Hampton Road in Southampton, for a district office and resource center.

Note: The approval of Proposition 3 will not have an impact on the tax levy for 2016/17, the district said.

Other Propositions: The following organizations function independently from the school district under their own Boards of Directors, which establish their budgets. While they appear on the school district ballot, there is no statutory connection between the school district and any of these entities, the district said.

Proposition 4: Southampton Youth Association: To adopt a resolution that the Board of Education of the District be authorized to contract with the Southampton Youth Association in the amount of $400,311 for the 2016-2017 school year for a recreation program for the youth of the school district, subject to the approval of the New York State Division of Youth, and the necessary tax be levied therefore.

Proposition 5: Southampton Historical Museum: To adopt a resolution that the Board of Education be authorized to contract for services with the Southampton Historical Museum in the amount of $170,000 for the 2016-2017 school year and the necessary tax be levied therefore.

Voting will take place on May 17 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Southampton Intermediate School Music Room located at 70 Leland Lane in Southampton.

Read more about the proposed budget on the district’s website here.