The decision by the Three Village Central School District to stay below the cap this year paid off on Tuesday when voters approved the proposed $184.53 million budget.
The 2013-2014 budget passed with 64.7 percent voter approval, with 3,198 people voting for and 1,741 people voting against the budget.
The tax levy will increase by 4.05 percent, which is the most the district could have raised it while still needing only a simple majority of voter approval under New York state’s tax levy cap law. Homeowners will see an average tax increase of $396.
The newly approved budget carries significant implications for the educational program in the district. It cuts approximately 67 positions, including about 58 teaching positions and two central administrators, and reflects sharp increases in health insurance costs, contractual teacher salaries, and state-mandated retirement fund contributions. Some popular programs will see changes: the American Sign Language classes will be cut and student government will be restructured as an after-school activity.
This time last year, voters rejected a budget that attempted to pierce the state-mandated tax levy cap. A second budget at the tax cap eventually passed.
By election district, here's how the budget passage breaks down:
- Arrowhead: 577 yes – 225 no
- Minnesauke: 707 yes – 370 no
- Nassakeag: 575 yes – 261 no
- Setauket: 723 yes – 600 no
- Mount: 616 yes – 285 no
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