Hampton Bays School Budget Passes By Wide Margin

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Hampton Bays residents headed to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in the 2023 to 2024 school budget vote and school board candidate election — and voters passed the budget by an overwhelming margin of 495 to 135.

The Hampton Bays Public Schools' proposed $63,945,545 budget carries a 7.40 percent budget-to-budget increase and a 0.89 percent tax levy increase.

"This is the 11th year in a row that sound budget planning has allowed the district to continue to provide students with a strong academic foundation while also maintaining the line on taxes and taking advantage of significant increases in state aid from Albany," said Hampton Bays Superintendent of School Lars Clemensen. "Specifically, the budget accounts for inflation while also maintaining our academic programs that support high standards and provide opportunity for students to excel inn Advanced Placement classes, college dual enrollment courses and innovative vocational training. Students have opportunities to earn certifications in culinary arts and early childhood education and enter college with credits."

A proposition for repairs and upgrades to facilities and grounds was also passed by a wide margin of 528 to 103. The maximum estimated cost is $300,000 with the amount of up to $300,000 to be transferred from unappropriated and unassigned fund balance from the school year 2022 to 2023 to the general fund to pay the costs for such repairs, reconstruction and upgrades. The tax levy will not be impacted by the proposition, the district said.

One candidate, incumbent Dot Capuano, ran unopposed for a 3-year seat on the Board of Education and received 555 votes.