Westhampton Beach School Budget Approved By Voters

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — Westhampton Beach residents headed out to vote Tuesday and approved the proposed 2018 to 2019 school budget, 295 to 66.

The $57,112,093 2018 to 2019 school budget pitches a spending increase of 1.85 percent and a tax levy increase of 3.56 percent, below the state mandated tax cap limit.

Board of education incumbent Halsey Stevens received 215 votes and incumbent Heather Wright, 303; both will serve five year terms. Write in candidate Stacy Rubio received 97 votes.

Proposition #2, to reduce board members term of office also passed, 310 to 45, as did the Westhampton Free Library's budget, 282 to 77.

"The proposed budget maintains all academic, extracurricular, and support programs. It also adds key instructional positions to support the needs of our special education and ENL students," said Superintendent of Schools Mike Radday.

"The primary challenge in crafting the budget was dealing with escalating health insurance premiums and retirement system costs," Radday added.