Greenport School Budget Vote Sails Through

GREENPORT, NY — The results are in, and the 2021 to 2022 budget for the Greenport Union Free School District passed by a wide margin of 369 to 115.

Four candidates, including incumbent Babette Cornine, Kelly Harris, Ramona Miranda and Robin Walden vied for two open seats. Walden and Harris emerged the winners.

According to Marion Small, superintendent of schools, the aim when crafting the 2021-2022 school budget for Greenport Public Schools was to maintain current programs and services and offer extracurricular programs such as 18 sports, a shared robotics program, and the nationally recognized NJROTC program. Greenport High School is one of 1,800 schools worldwide, and one of four on the East End, to implement the AP Capstone Diploma program, focusing on college-level independent research, communication and writing skills "crucial for college and career success," the district said. This year, the first group of Greenport students will receive an AP Capstone diploma.

"The proposed 2021/22 budget will continue to support these initiatives and proposes a 2.03 increase in the tax levy that does not pierce the state tax cap," Small said.

The $20,452,000 budget reflects an increase of $352,000, or 1.75 percent.