Patchogue-Medford school district

VOTING

7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at South Ocean and Saxton middle schools and Medford, Tremont and Eagle elementary schools.

THE BUDGET

The district proposes a $173,068,899 budget for 2015-16, a 0.94 percent increase over the current $171,453,825. The local tax levy would increase 2.86 percent, from $100,682,131 to $103,563,276. The increase is within the state's tax-cap limit of 2.86 percent.

However, a ballot proposition asks voters to approve extending the mileage limitation from 15 to 25 miles for transporting children to private and parochial high schools, at a cost of $423,440. Because voter approval of the proposition would cause the local tax levy to exceed the state's tax-cap limit, the proposition as well as the budget must be approved by at least 60 percent of the voters.

School taxes on the average single-family home would increase 2.62 percent, from $6,982.70 to $7,165.70.

The proposed budget funds additional positions for one administrator, four teachers and a clerical worker. Teachers would receive a step increase of 2.69 percent, but no salary increase. New courses in AP statistics and principles of engineering would be added at the high school.

A separate ballot proposition asks voters to approve creation of a capital reserve fund of up to $5 million for improving district facilities and acquiring equipment, furnishings and machinery for the district. This item would have no impact on taxes.

District website:

pmschools.org

THE CANDIDATES

Bunnie A. Schiller and incumbents Anthony C. O'Brien and Christine T. Rignola are running unopposed. William T. LaVelle is not seeking re-election. Terms are three years.