Education

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

MATTITUCK-CUTCHOGUE

Budget: $40.2 million

Estimated tax levy increase: 1.73%

The Mattituck-Cutchogue School District is proposing a $40.2 million budget carrying a 1.73 percent tax levy increase.

Last May, voters passed a $39.6 million budget for the 2014-15 school year. In September, however, that budget was increased to about $40.1 million — without any impact on taxpayers.

The change occurred because the district ended with a year-end surplus of $450,000 in 2014. That surplus has been used to pay down debt.

Comparing last year’s amended spending plan to the proposed 2015-16 budget, voters are asked to approve a $159,000 spending increase, which maintains current programs and covers a technology infrastructure improvement project.

The district also plans to complete long-awaited projects next year, like fixing the roof at the Laurel Annex.

TDoug Cooper (incumbent)

Mr. Cooper is a farmer who has served on the school board for nearly two decades. He said he’s proud of what the district has accomplished during his tenure, particularly the way it has successfully prepared budgets under the cap.

“We just have to contain costs as much as we can — that’s been a major problem facing any district,” he said. “Once you are raising taxes faster than the rate of inflation, you’re driving the middle class out.”

Mr. Cooper said he’s pleased with the quality of the district’s staff and thinks the most rewarding part of serving on the board is watching student presentations during meetings. The most challenging, he said, is when “you disagree strongly with some of the other board members and you don’t like the way the vote goes.”

 

 

TLaura Jens-Smith (incumbent)

Elected to the board in 2011, Ms. Jens-Smith, a Laurel resident, works as a project coordinator for North Fork Alliance and has two children who attend Mattituck High School.

She said she believes the biggest challenge facing the district is providing differentiated learning opportunities for students. She’d also like to see more parents of elementary school students serve on the school board.

“We need new blood to help shape the district going forward in the future,” she said.

She has decided to run for re-election because she likes finding ways to engage students with new teaching methods.

“I think I bring a lot of passion to my position on the school board,” she said. “It’s very important to listen to the community and bring their thoughts into our decision making process.”

 

T0423_Candidates2_gp_C.jpgBarbara Wheaton (newcomer)

Ms. Wheaton is a retired elementary school teacher from Laurel. She’s lived in the district for about 35 years and has three children who attended Mattituck schools.

“The most important issue facing every district is ensuring that the effect of state requirements in classrooms is developmentally appropriate and educationally sound,” she said. “My educational perspective on our leadership team can assist in the navigation toward our goal of continuing to provide an excellent educational experience for every student.”

CHECK OUT THE NEW SUFFOLK BUDGET AND CANDIDATE: