BOE, budget vote previews: What’s on the ballot Tuesday?

OYSTERPONDS

Budget: $5.6 million

Estimated tax levy increase: 1.62%

The Oysterponds Elementary School District is proposing a $5.6 million budget carrying an estimated 1.62 percent tax levy increase.

The proposed 2015-16 budget also includes a 1.9 percent spending increase over the current year.

The pre-K through sixth-grade district in Orient plans to use the additional revenue to expand its ESL and music programs and cover additional special education costs.

The spending plan also includes updating the school’s iPad program and expanding student enrichment opportunities, such as collaborating with the community to create programs like “Exploring Traditional Farming and Fishing on the North Fork.”

Total expenses for regular classroom instruction — including teacher salaries, textbooks and supplies — are expected to total $2.1 million, up about 8.2 percent.

District officials said they plan to continue and enhance the combined-grade model — introduced in the 2013-14 school year — since parents, teachers and staff say student achievement has improved.

Voters will also be asked to approve a proposition allowing the district to use up to $150,000 from reserves to pay for the second phase of the district’s window replacement project.

Krista de Kerillis (incumbent)

Ms. de Kerillis has served on the board since 2009. She lives in East Marion, has two children and works as a medical billing supervisor at East End Eye. She has been a volunteer EMT for the East Marion Fire Department for the past 14 years.

During her school board tenure, Ms. de Kerillis said, she’s supported expanding the district’s music and foreign language programs.

She said she believes Oysterponds’ biggest challenges include declining enrollment and maintaining quality education while creating budgets under the state-mandated tax levy cap.

“Attracting more families to the area and taking in tuition students is important to maintain our school, which is such an important part of our community,” she said. “My community is very important to me and I am thankful each day I get to live here.”

Linda Goldsmith (incumbent)

Ms. Goldsmith has served on the school board for more than two decades and lives in East Marion.

She said she favors the direction the district has taken with decisions regarding special education, specifically retaining students at the Orient campus. She believes the district’s biggest challenge is declining enrollment.

Ms. Goldsmith said she’d like to continue her tenure on the board because she enjoys representing the district’s constituents and students.

“I can only say my interest in this school has never waned and I can say with honesty that I will never vote against our school’s best interest,” she said. “I have knowledge and experience, but am able to keep moving forward with advances and techniques that keep our students current.”

Ms. Goldsmith has volunteered in local schools and is a member of the Columbiettes and the Oysterponds Rod and Gun Club. She’s also a volunteer for the Southold Mothers’ Club.

Philip Mastrangelo (newcomer)

Mr. Mastrangelo lives in Orient. Two of his four sons attend school at Oysterponds; the other two go to Greenport High School.

He has decided to run for school board because he believes it’s important to uphold the district’s tradition of providing students with high-quality, individualized education.

“We have teachers and staff who are willing and able to work with the students as a class and individually above and beyond what is required of them,” he said. “Many Orient and East Marion residents are not aware of the myriad opportunities Oysterponds affords the children of our community. I think it’s something worth working for in order to ensure it is enjoyed by the next generation and many more after that.”

Mr. Mastrangelo worked in finance for more than 25 years, until 2013, when he decided to raise and sell oysters.

CHECK OUT THE SOUTHOLD BUDGET AND CANDIDATES: