North Fork School Budget Votes Tuesday: What You Need To Know

NORTH FORK, NY — North Fork voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their votes for the 2021 to 2022 school budgets and school board candidates. Here's a rundown of what you need to know Tuesday before you cast your ballot.

Greenport Union Free School District

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 propose 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.

Four candidates are running for two open seats in the race for Board of Education:

Four candidates, including incumbent Babette Cornine, Kelly Harris, Ramona Miranda and Robin Walden are vying for two open seats. Incumbent Daniel Creedon is not seeking re-election.

Voting takes place on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the "Dude" Manwaring gymnasium, located at 720 Front Street in Greenport.

Southold Union Free School District

The Southold Union Free District' Board of Education said the proposed 2021 to 2022 budget of $31,604,000 reflects an increase of 1.92 percent, with a tax levy increase of 1.83 percent, below the state's tax levy cap. The average tax levy cap has been under 1.88 percent for the last five years , the district said. The proposed budget "maintains programs and opportunities for students," the district said.

Incumbent Board of Education members Paulette Ofrias and John Cream are running unopposed for two open seats.

Voting takes place on Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the gymnasium located at 420 Oaklawn Avenue in Southold.

Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District

The proposed $42,216,806 2021 to 2022 budget for the Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District reflects an increase of 1.93 percent.

"With academics at its core, the 2021-2022 budget also supports the emotional and social well-being of our students by maintaining the staff needed to listen, observe and counselthose students who need support," the Mattituck-Cutchogue Board of Education wrote. "It supports extracurricular activities to enhance student learning and encourage creativity and talent. The budget offers new curriculum that aligns with the standards and allows our kids to. explore new ideas and discover what they are passionate about. This budget keeps our staff and students safe and improves areas of our infrastructure that need to be updated. Our students are searching for new activities, new classes, new friendships and new connections, and the

Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools are confident that the 2021-2022
budget provides all of that and more."

Six candidates, including incumbents Jeffrey Connolly and Doug Cooper, as well as Denise Taormina, Aleksandra Kardwell, Karen Letteriello and Edward Marlatt, are running for three open BOE seats; incumbent Barbara Wheaton is not seeking re-election

The budget vote is Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the high school gym.

Oysterponds Union Free School District

The Oysterponds Union Free School District's proposed 2021 to 2022 budget of $5,681,041 reflects a decrease of 2.71 percent.

Incumbent BOE members Erin Johnson and Philip Mastrangelo are running unopposed for two open seats.

Voting takes place from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Oysterponds School Gymnasium, located at 23405 Main Road in Orient.