Cold Spring Harbor School Voters Guide 2010

VOTING

7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday at the Cold Spring Harbor Junior / Senior High School field house.

THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a budget of $56,795,990 for the 2010-2011 school year - a 2.96 percent increase from the current $55,161,090. The budget would increase the local tax levy by 3.89 percent, from the current $50,097,853 to a proposed $52,045,304 for 2010-11.

The district said it could not provide exact details on the effect of the tax levy on the average home because it is situated in the towns of Huntington and Oyster Bay. The actual tax rate may vary depending on each town's proportionate share of the tax levy, district officials said. Final assessment details will be established in August.

The budget calls for a 3.7 percent contractual increase in teacher salaries and a 1.9 percent step increase. The district will eliminate four teaching positions and one clerical position in the central office.

In addition to the budget, the district is proposing a referendum to establish a capital reserve fund not to exceed $7.5 million. The proposition would have no effect on the tax levy.

District website:

chs.k12.ny.us

THE CANDIDATES

Incumbent Robert Hughes and challengers Amy Brogan and James J. Robins are vying for two seats with three-year terms.

Amy Brogan

BACKGROUND: Brogan, 49, has lived in the district for 17 years. She and her husband, Gerry, have three children who attend public schools in the district. Brogan, an attorney and registered nurse, attended schools in the district and received her bachelor of science in nursing from Georgetown University and her law degree from the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center.

ISSUES: Brogan said that the most pressing issue facing the district is the constantly changing status of state funding. If elected, Brogan will try to use grants and similar foundation support to supplement the budget. She hopes to prevent using tax increases as a fix, and instead will look toward group purchasing and supply chain management for savings. In turn, the money saved should be redirected to the classroom, she said.

Robert Hughes

BACKGROUND: Hughes, 48, the Huntington Town historian, has lived in the district for 44 years. He and his wife, Priscilla, have one grown child and a daughter who attends a public school in the district. Hughes has a bachelor's degree from Columbia University and received his law degree from Fordham Law School. He has served on the board since 2007.

ISSUES: Hughes says that the most important issue facing the district is maintaining quality of education in a difficult economic climate and despite state aid cuts. If elected, he says he will "resist the shortsighted temptation" to cut necessary programs. He hopes to foster cultural arts programs and continue to encourage technological advancements in the district in an attempt to improve teaching.

James J. Robins

BACKGROUND: Robins, 50, has lived in the district for eight years. He and his wife, Connie, have two children who attend schools in the district. Robins, an anesthesiologist, received his medical degree from SUNY Downstate.

ISSUES: Robins said that the most pressing issue facing the district is maintaining the quality of education despite an increasing financial burden. If elected, he hopes to "stay true to [the district's] core principles" of providing the highest caliber of education to all students. He said he wanted to maintain a steady course despite financially trying times by maintaining a more prudent budget - cutting waste without compromising on important educational initiatives.