Sachem School Voters Guide 2010

VOTING

6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at all district elementary schools.

THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a budget of $280,711,665 for the 2010-11 school year, which represents a 1.09 percent increase over the current budget of $277,694,940. The proposed budget represents a 2.38 percent increase over the budget approved by voters last year; after that vote, the district increased the budget by $3.5 million for roof repairs and renovations at Sachem High School East, roughly three-quarters of which will be covered by state aid.

The proposed tax levy for the 2010-11 school year is $146,820,084, a 1.13 percent increase over this year's $145,180,042.

The school tax paid on an average home assessed at $3,500 in Brookhaven would be $5,968.20, an increase of 1.94 percent over the current $5,854.45. School taxes paid on an average home assessed at $40,000 in Islip would be $5,076, an increase of 1.93 percent over the current $4,980. School taxes paid on an average home assessed at $6,000 in Smithtown would be $6,330.60, an increase of 1.94 percent from the current $6,210.

The proposed budget includes actual teacher contractual salary increases of 2 percent and a 1.5 percent step increase for a half-year.

The budget also calls for staff reductions of one teacher, one coordinator assistant, two library coaches, 10 retiring teachers who will not be replaced, and some additional stipend positions that were not specified, and reductions in hours for part-time security staff. The budget also includes cuts to staff development and security programs.

District website: sachem.edu

THE CANDIDATES

Incumbent Michael Timo is running unopposed for a three-year term. Incumbent Anthony Falco faces Mike Matlat, and incumbent Sal Tripi faces Teri Ahearn in elections for two seats with three-year terms.

Teri Ahearn

BACKGROUND: Ahearn, 45, has lived in the district for more than 14 years. She is an assistant principal at a public middle school in Brooklyn. She received her bachelor's degree in general and special education from Brooklyn College, her master's in special education from the College of Staten Island and an administrative certificate in educational administration from Stony Brook University. She and her husband, Gerard, have three children in district schools.

ISSUES: Ahearn said Sachem must be able to effectively allocate its funding. "We need to be able to spend our money in the most effective way possible, starting with the elimination of wasteful spending," she said, adding her experience as an administrator has taught her how to work with "minimal resources to get maximum benefits," and she said she has a "good working knowledge" of school budgets.

Anthony Falco

BACKGROUND: Falco, 68, has lived in the district for 42 years. He is a retired officer from the New York Police Department. He and his wife, Margaret, have four adult children who attended Sachem schools. He has served on the board for 24 years. Falco also is a 38-year board member of the Sachem Youth Advisory Group sports organization.

ISSUES: Falco said the district needs to focus on financial stability in the future. He said he would "try to reduce the tax impact on our community without adversely affecting the academic programs," by reducing wasteful spending and consolidating functions. Falco also emphasized community spirit. "We are a family and have to work together to gain the support of our community," he said. "If the community thinks we are working together they will support our programs."

Mike Matlat

BACKGROUND: Matlat, 42, has lived in the district his entire life. He is a real estate consultant and graduated from Sachem High School in 1986. He received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Flagler College in 1991 and a master's degree in secondary education from Dowling College in 2005. He and his wife, Terri, have two children in district schools and a third who will enter kindergarten in the district in September.

ISSUES: Matlat said the district will need strong leadership because of cuts in government funding. The district will need "to maintain high standards of education and services, while trying to keep Sachem an affordable place to live," he said. He pointed to his background working on competitive bids and cost-cutting strategies as assets.

Sal Tripi

BACKGROUND: Tripi, 44, has lived in the district for 17 years. He works at Publishers Clearing House as a senior director of operations and compliance. He and his wife, Margaret, have two children in district schools. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration at Dowling College and has served a previous term on the school board.

ISSUES: Tripi said the biggest issue facing Sachem is the state's fiscal problems. "The next board will have to make significant changes in order to continue to be sensitive to the taxpayers as well as provide opportunities to the students and staff," Tripi said. He said that since he was elected to the school board there have been no school tax hikes. "I believe I have the education [and] business experience to continue to be successful through this difficult time."