Hampton Bays School Budget Passes

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Hampton Bays voters, keeping kids first, passed a proposed 2018 to 2019 school budget of $52.5 million by a wide margin of 573 to 263.

A proposition for safety and security enhancements passed 607 to 233, and a proposition for repairs and/or upgrades to facilities and grounds passed 598 to 243, district officials said.

Board of Education incumbent Liz Scully received 668 votes and candidate Anne Culhane, 668; both ran unopposed for two seats and three year terms.

The proposed budget, said Superintendent Lars Clemensen, maintains all current educational and co-curricular services and continues a tradition of fiscal stability by remaining under the state's tax levy cap for the seventh consecutive year.

"By prudently following a long-term vision for fiscal stability, the district formulated a proposed budget that enhances our already strong security protocols, bolsters our educational programs through technology initiatives and continues to strengthen our community partnerships, which are essential to student success," Clemensen said.

Specifically, the proposed $52.5 million budget carries a 3.2 percent tax levy increase, which is below the district's tax levy limit of 3.56 percent, Clemensen added; the budget also encompasses a 3.25 percent budget-to-budget increase, which slightly lowers the tax levy due to an increase in revenue from sources other than property taxes, Clemensen said in his budget message to the community.

The proposed budget, he added, supports the implementation of a planned 1:1 technology initiative in which every student in grades 4 to 12 will have access to a Chromebook.

"In addition, it provides for the strengthening of our literacy program and increases hands-on science opportunities in our elementary classrooms. This budget is developed with a focus on sustainability as we project long-term enrollment trends, and meet programmatic goals, and state and federal requirements," Clemensen said.

Security is also a key component of the budget, he said.

"These times also call for us to be vigilant in protecting our students and staff. That is why the proposed budget includes security enhancements that will strengthen our already robust security system. These upgrades are a foremost priority and will continue to be evaluated and enhanced as necessary," he said.

The second ballot question proposed the creation of a school resource program which, if implemented, would still keep the district's budget under the property tax levy cap.
"The varied opportunities for success provided to our students would not be possible without the full support of our valued community. On any given day, students' knowledge and skills are supplemented through various community partnerships," Clemensen said.

For example, he said, Life Skills students gain work experience, elementary student learn the importance of community service and high school students explore careers as part of the district's high school internship program.

"Countless businesses and organizations support our students in ways that are seen and unseen and we are grateful for your resolve to support our future leaders," Clemensen said.

Patch file photo.