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Schools

Tuckahoe Budget Passes by Eight Votes

Tax rate increase less than anticipated.

District voters on Tuesday approved the district's proposed by just eight votes.

In a 165-157 vote, residents approved a 3.5 percent spending increase and a 2.8 percent increase in the tax levy.

Early in the budget season, school officials floated a 6.2 percent tax rate increase, a rate they based on new property assessments in the Tuckahoe area. The Southampton Town assessor's office initially told district officials that the total assessed value of homes in the district fell $76 million since 2010, but later numbers showed the value actually grew by $10 million. The revised tax rate increase is 2.4 percent.

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School Board Chairman Robert Grisnik said the new assessments came after the district had mailed its budget brochure to voters, so most residents were unaware that the tax rate increase was far less severe. Only 15 or 16 residents attended the budget hearing last week when the new tax rate was revealed, he noted.

The tax levy increase is the lowest it has been in 10 years, school business official Ed Joseph said. He said the district aimed to be in line with on annual school tax levy increases; however, the increase came in at 2.7 percent.

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"I'm thrilled that it passed," school board member Sharon Grindle said of the budget. "We worked very hard on it." She thanked Joseph and Superintendent Chris Dyer for their work formulating the budget.

"We really appreciate the support of the community in these tough economic times," school board member Dr. Daniel Crough said. He noted that the budget reflects . The contract includes an extra conference day for teachers and new student enrichment and intervention services, he said.

Dyer echoed Crough's thanks to voters and said "Tuckahoe values Tuckahoe School ... there's a passion of community support for the school."

Voters additionally approved funding for the , by 191-124, and a proposition to authorize the district to send Tuckahoe ninth through 12th graders to and , by 205-110. The district does not have its own high school.

Voters also approved $53,320 in funding, 191-124.

"We've tried over the years to offer a really quality program that's all about the kids," said SYA Director of Operations Rev. Marvin Dozier, responding to the news of Tuckahoe's approval. "I'm very grateful."

Southampton Youth Association provides athletics and other recreational programs for Tuckahoe and Southampton school districts.

, who was running unopposed, was re-elected to a new three-year term with 152 votes. He joined the school board in 1982.

On a rainy election day, 323 voters turned out. One abstained from voting on the budget. Grisnik said turnout was greater than he expected it to be, considering the weather and that the election was uncontested.

Proposition Yes No Budget 165 157 Southampton Youth Association Funding 191 127 191 124 Tuitioning 9th-12th graders to Southampton and Westhampton high schools. 205 110
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