Sag Harbor School Voters Guide 2010

VOTING

7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Pierson High School gym

THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a budget of $31,500,811 for the 2010-11 school year, an increase of 6.28 percent over the current $29,640,657. The tax levy would rise to $29,556,265, an increase of 12.18 percent over the current $26,346,644.

The average homeowner with a house assessed at a full market value of $1 million would pay $4,729 - an increase of 10.16 percent over the current $4,293 for East Hampton residents, and 12.78 percent over the current $4,193 for Southampton residents.

The proposed budget also includes estimated increases in teacher salaries subject to negotiations later this year and elimination of 2.7 teaching positions and 1.6 other staff positions.

Three propositions are on the ballot. One would authorize the district to purchase two school buses and a bus-van. The purchase cost would be funded by a levied tax of up to $240,000 collected in installments over a number of years to be determined by the school board. The district would issue serial bonds to finance all or part of the cost and enter into one or more installment purchase contracts of up to five years.

The second proposition is to establish a 10-year reserve fund not to exceed $400,000 toward the future purchase of replacement buses, to be funded via end-of-year budget surpluses and / or budget appropriations.

The third proposition would reduce the district's current policy for transporting students in grades K-12 from the existing 30-mile maximum limit to a new 15-mile limit.

District website:

sagharborschools.org

THE CANDIDATES

Edward Drohan and Chrisanthy Tice are running unopposed for three-year terms. Wesley Frye and Edward Haye are not seeking re-election.