Education

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

SOUTHOLD

Budget: $29.1 million

Estimated tax levy increase: 1.66 %

The Southold School District is proposing a $29.1 million budget carrying a 1.66 percent tax levy increase.

The budget also carries a 1.16 percent spending hike to maintain programs and cover additional salary and transportation costs, among other expenses.

Total expenses for regular classroom instruction — including teacher salaries, textbooks and supplies — are expected rise about 5.16 percent to a total of $7.9 million.

Increased funding for professional development and textbooks for the elementary school is supported by the budget. For the junior and senior high schools, new electives like science research, AP physics and a business class called Virtual Enterprise are planned for next year.

Supplies for SoHo TV and additional Chromebooks are also included in the proposed spending plan.

A 3.56 percent hike is estimated for the district’s operations and maintenance expenses, totaling about $1.2 million next year.

Transportation costs are estimated to increase by 6.19 percent to $309,925.

If the budget is approved, next year’s property tax increase for the average homeowner will range from $43 to $140.

TJohn Crean (incumbent)

Dr. Crean is a cardiologist with four children. He has lived in Southold for more than two decades and was first elected to the board in 2009.

During his tenure, Dr. Crean said he’s supported stabilizing tax increases. He believes the biggest challenge facing the district are mandates related to Common Core standards. In addition, he believes declining enrollment is an issue and wants to continue sharing services with Greenport.

TPaulette Ofrias (incumbent)

Ms. Ofrias is a second-generation graduate of Southold High School; her two children are also Southold graduates.

First elected in 2002, Ms. Ofrias believes she’s been an effective school board member and wants to continue serving in order to help “balance the needs of students with the ability of the taxpayers in our district to be able to remain in Southold.”

She said the biggest challenge is providing quality education under the tax cap without mandate relief.