Shelter Island School Voters Guide 2010

VOTING

Noon to 9 p.m. at the school.

THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a budget of $9,547,979, an increase of 0.18 percent over the current budget of $9,530,607. If passed, the tax levy would decrease by 0.79 percent, from $8,670,550 to $8,602,144.

A median assessed home of $700,030 will pay $2,059 in taxes, a decrease of 1.81 percent from the current year figure of $2,097.

The proposed budget includes a 3.75 percent salary increase for teachers plus an unspecified step increase.

There will be no reduction in teachers, but one paraprofessional position will be eliminated and the district will delay purchases of copiers and laptops. There will be cuts in extracurricular activities. The district said it would evaluate the "structure of our administration" after the resignation of an assistant superintendent.

There is one additional proposition on the ballot: to build a new playground for no more than $135,800 of capital reserve money, which would have no effect on the budget.

District website:

shelterisland.k12.ny.us

THE CANDIDATES

Incumbents Thomas Graffagnino and Kathleen Reilly face challenger Alfred Brigham for two seats with three-year terms.

Alfred Brigham

BACKGROUND: Brigham, 37, a lifelong resident of the district, is a high school science teacher in another district and at the district's alternative high school. He and his wife, Rachel, have two children not yet school age. Brigham received a teaching degree from SUNY Oneonta and a master of science from Long Island University's Southampton College. Brigham runs the high school science club, is a volunteer in the fire department, and a member of the Lions Club and The Nature Conservancy. This is his first run for the school board.

ISSUES: Having a background in education would be a benefit to the district, said Brigham. "I could help make financial decisions that would have the least impact on student learning," he said. He also wants to improve communications among teachers, the superintendent and the school board, which he feels is lacking.

Thomas Graffagnino

BACKGROUND: Graffagnino, 48, is an engineer with a ferryboat company. He and his wife, Barbara, have three children, two attending the district school and one a graduate of the district school. Graffagnino is a former New York City police officer. A 18-year resident of the district, he is a member of the Pastoral Council of Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church, on the board of the Community That Cares community organization and a volunteer firefighter. Graffagnino has been on the board three years.

ISSUES: The main reason he is running, Graffagnino said, is because teacher contract negotiations will take place next year, and he believes his experience is needed during that critical time since he is a senior member of the board. "We are a very young board," he said. "We work very well together and have managed, for two years in a row, to have a flat budget."

Kathleen Reilly

BACKGROUND: Reilly, 51, works for The Nature Conservancy. A 12-year resident, she has two children who are graduates of the school. Reilly has a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida. She is on the Shelter Island All-Faith Youth Group board and a PTSA member. She has been on the board for three years.

ISSUES: Reilly said she enjoys the dynamics of working with the newly elected board, and feels they work well as a group. "Our opinions differ greatly, but there is a respect for each point of view," she said, adding that the dynamics will be a benefit for upcoming contract negotiations, as well as other budget issues that need to be addressed.