Bridgehampton School Budget Voted Down

BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY — An attempt by the Bridgehampton Union Free School District to pierce the tax cap failed Tuesday when the proposed budget was voted down by a narrow margin, district officials said.

The proposed budget for the 2021 to 2022 school year, $20,658,612, required a tax levy increase of $1,466,190 which exceeded the statutory tax levy increase limit of $481,238 for the school fiscal year — and therefore exceeded the state tax cap. To pass, the measure needed to be approved by 60 percent of voters.

The budget failed by a narrow margin of 150 "yes" votes to 103 "no," or 59.28 percent. If the budget fails in a second vote, a contingency budget will be implemented.

Bridgehampton was the only local district to try and pierce the tax cap.

Five candidates vied for three open Board of Education seats; incumbent Ronald White garnered 179 votes, Angela Chmielewski received 150 and Jo Ann Comfort received 205; Michael Gomberg received 91 and Dwight Singleton, 80.