Hampton Bays School Budget Passes By A Landslide

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — The absentee ballots have been tallied and residents passed the Hampton Bays School District's budget for the 2020 to 2021 school year by a wide margin.

The budget vote passed 1,633 to 683.

According to the district, the $55,205,086 represents budget-to-budget increase of 1.62 percent and a tax levy increase of 1.46 percent, beneath the New York State tax levy cap.

Residents also voted to approve a proposition authorizing the use of up to $300,000 of undesignated, unreserved fund balance from the 2019 to 2020 budget for repairs, renovations or upgrades to facilities/grounds, the district said.

That proposition passed by a resounding 1,782 to 513.

Goals in crafting the budget, the district said, included providing a high-quality education for all students at an investment level that the Hampton Bays community can sustain; maintaining existing programs for students, including academic, social/emotional, co-curricular, enrichment and support; and maintaining a safe environment for all in areas such as security, facilities maintenance and preservation.

Incumbent Dot Capuano, who ran unopposed for one open Board of Education seat, received 1,981 votes.

Ballots counting was live-streamed via YouTube with a link on the Hampton Bays Public Schools homepage.