SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Southampton residents will head to the polls Tuesday to vote in the 2022-2023 school budget ballot and school board candidate elections.
The district's proposed $74,990,000 budget reflects a 1.34 percent spending increase and a 2.31 percent tax levy increase, below the tax levy cap.
Voters will weigh a number of proposals, including spending $4,900,000 from the existing capital reserve to acquire property located at 300 and 310 Hampton Road for an administrative office. Voters will also decide on a proposal that would create a 10-year, $2.5 million capital reserve for technology equipment and infrastructure upgrades, funded by surplus budget and appropriations.
Another proposal would authorize the Board of Education to undertake capital improvements, including renovating or replacing three HVAC units at Southampton High School. renovation and/or installation of an HVAC system in the bay area of the Southampton garage; renovation or replacement of the planetarium at Southampton High School to install new seating, carpeting and wall covering. Carrying out roof repairs at Southampton Primary School. installation of outdoor gym equipment and outdoor basketball court, with associated surface materials and fencing; and boiler repairs at Southampton Intermediate School, all at a cost of $1,480,000, from the 2017 10-year reserve fund;
Neither proposal affects the tax levy, the district said.
Two candidates, Germain L. Smith and Robert Scott Gaeckle, are vying for an open seat to replace Michael G. Medio, whose term expires June 30.
The vote and election of the annual budget will be held on Tuesday from 10 am. until 9 p.m. in the Southampton Intermediate School music room.
