Voters confirm Eastport-South Manor budget

Voters in Eastport-South Manor School District confirmed the May budget in a second vote on June 18. The state education department contended that the May ballot was invalid due to the proposition that would have breached the state tax cap.

The state said that since the vote would have required a 60 percent approval to breach the cap, it is invalid by only receiving 54 percent. But the budget itself did pass, without a cap breach, therefore rendering it effective. School officials have said they believe the vote was valid, but scheduled a second vote in case.

The district continues to disagree with the state, as lawyers are making their case for the May vote to be counted. The budget passed 1,211 to 1,002, with a second proposition to hire armed security guards failing. Outlines from the district stated that if the budget passed and the armed guards proposition failed, the budget would still go into effect and would not be above the tax cap. The second vote was the same proposal as presented in May, and passed 1,108 to 587.

Voters passed a $96,354,523 budget, a $2.8 million increase from last year. The tax levy increase would have been 3.69 percent for both propositions, but the budget alone is a 2.75 percent levy, below the tax cap.

Additions to the 2019-‘20 budget include newly established funds for students to participate in music competitions like SCMEA and NYSSMA and a payline for theater tech positions. It will fund late busses for 4:15 and 5:15 p.m. and funds an additional psychologist, state-mandated health teacher, state-mandated guidance counselor, high school administrator and assistant special education assistant administrator. It will also maintain all high school programs, chaperones for over 70 student events, all sports teams, class sizes and transportation routes.

The district also set aside funds to continue HVAC improvements district-wide and purchase new interactive displays for classrooms to replace smart boards. The budget also plans for the purchase of a bucket truck and flatbed truck for district use.