Westhampton Beach School Budget Vote Passes

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — All the absentee ballots have been counted and the Westhampton Beach Union Free School District's budget passed by a sweeping vote of 927 to 314.

The library budget also passed 895 to 348.

Board of Education incumbents Joyce Donneson and Suzanne Mensch, who ran unopposed, were re-elected to their seats with 1,050 and 1,075 votes, respectively.

According to the district, the budget of $58,957,227 represents a budget-to-budget increase of 1.62 percent and carries a tax levy increase of 1.67 percent, which is below New York State's tax levy limit.

“These past few months have been very challenging,”said Superintendent of Schools Michael Radday. “Developing a budget in the midst of the economic uncertainty caused by a global pandemic was not easy. However, this budget maintains the district’s outstanding educational, extracurricular, and support programs while being mindful of the fiscal impact to the community.”

The administration and Board of Education worked collaboratively to establish a "meticulous financial plan" that ensures the district’s educational goals are met with a minimal increase in spending, the district said. The commitment to financial discipline is "longstanding", as budget increases over the past five years have averaged 1.2 percent, district officials said.

The district hosted virtual ballot count viewing.