East Islip school district

VOTING

6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Early Childhood Center.

THE BUDGET

The district proposes a $112,683,147 budget for 2016-17, a 1.45 percent increase from the current $111,076,458. The tax levy would stay the same, at $70,428,345.

This amount is below the district’s tax-cap limit of 0.08 percent, so a simple majority vote will be required to approve the budget.

School taxes on the average single-family home would remain the same at $7,714.

The proposed budget has no contractual increase in salary and a 2.5 percent average step increase for teachers. It cuts 13.7 full-time equivalent positions, while it adds programs — such as the restoration of summer school and an AP Capstone course — and staff, including a social worker and a librarian.

A proposition asks voters for permission to establish a capital-reserve fund for building, technology and property upgrades at a cost of up to $2 million for up to 10 years. The fund would come from money left over after operating costs, and would have no effect on taxes, according to the district.

• District website:

eischools.org

THE CANDIDATES

Incumbent Steven Behan and candidate Carol Sawyer-Coffin are running for one by-seat position. The term is three years.

Steven Behan

BACKGROUND: Behan, 51, is an operating engineer who installs and maintains power systems. A 23-year district resident, he attended Marquette University Opus College of Engineering. He has two children who attended or will be attending district schools. He is a member of the East Islip Community Chamber and has been on the school board for three years.

ISSUES: Behan said he has accomplished much of what he promised to do when he was elected. The district and board has restored programs cut by past boards, he said, including third-grade musical instrument instruction, middle school sports, sixth-grade foreign language, drug education, and has hired security guards and groundskeepers. Next year’s budget brings back additional librarians and summer school, and puts $1 million back in reserves, Behan noted. “This money will ensure that our schools programs never go in reverse again, and keep moving forward and getting better.”

Carol Sawyer-Coffin

BACKGROUND: Sawyer-Coffin, 54, is a public accountant and 19-year resident of the district. She has a bachelor’s degree in management from Marietta College in Ohio and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota. Coffin serves on the boards of Kids for Kids Productions, a theater and arts program for children and teens, and ThinkBIG! Theater Arts, which offers community and school programs as well as training for educators and artists. She has three children who attended or are attending district schools. She has been on the district’s audit committee for the past six years.

ISSUES: Sawyer-Coffin says the teachers’ contract is the most important issue, adding that the cost is “not in line with the current economy. The board of education and district administration need to have more significant control over educational decisions.” She said she is running now because she sees things that could be fixed. “For one thing, it needs to be cost controlled,” she said. “The finances of the district have to match the current economy, and it doesn’t right now.”