Six school district budgets get passing grades

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Taxpayers in six school districts in western Southampton Town approved their respective 2009-10 budgets on Tuesday, though Remsenburg/Speonk’s $11.6 million spending plan was ratified by just a 10-vote margin.

Voters in the Westhampton Beach, Eastport South Manor, Hampton Bays, East Quogue and Quogue school districts all approved their budgets by significant margins.

There were only two contested school board races in the six districts. In Remsenburg/Speonk, candidates Cecilia Spellman-Frey and Kevin Federico won election to the board, while challenger Christian Killoran came in third.

And in East Quogue, School Board Vice President Kathy Tureski and newcomer Ralph Naglieri won the two open seats on that five-member board. They bested challengers Mary Barty Scheurer and Darin Prill.

Remsenburg/Speonk

Kevin Federico and Cecilia Spellman-Frey, both of whom live in Remsenburg, won the seats that will be vacated by current School Board President Jeremiah Collins and Vice President Aimee White. Both terms are for three years.

Mr. Federico received 361 votes, and Ms. Spellman-Frey collected 354 votes. Christian Killoran of Remsenburg, an attorney with offices in East Moriches, finished third with 164 votes.

Mr. Federico, a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch in Riverhead, said he was happy to be elected to the five-member board. “My plans are to work hard to develop a policy of transparency at the board level ... and to develop an openness with the community,” he said.

Ms. Spellman-Frey, a retired detective sergeant with the New York City Police Department, is a professor at Suffolk County Community College. She could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Also, the district’s $11.6 million budget for the 2009-10 school year was approved by a 10-vote margin, with 262 voting in favor and 252 against. With the approval of the budget, district taxpayers can expect to see a 1.8-percent increase in the tax rate, from $4.44 per $1,000 of assessed valuation this year to $4.52 per $1,000 next year.

Taxpayers also approved a contract to continue sending their middle school and high school students to either the Westhampton Beach or Eastport South Manor school districts. That proposition passed in a vote of 390-102.

Additionally, voters agreed to continue contracting library services to the Westhampton Free Library in Westhampton Beach. That measure was approved by a 346-152 vote.

East Quogue

School Board Vice President Kathy Tureski and newcomer Ralph Naglieri fought off challenges from Mary Barty Scheurer and Darin Prill to win the two open seats on the five-member board.

Ms. Tureski received 355 votes to earn her second three-year term. Mr. Naglieri, who received 246 votes, will complete the term of former board member Thomas Smith, who moved out of the district. That seat expires in June 2010. Ms. Scheurer received 126 votes, and Mr. Prill finished with 223 votes.

Also, voters approved the district’s $21 million budget for the 2009-10 school year. The measure was approved by a vote of 395-253, according to East Quogue School District Clerk Lenore Rezza. Under the spending plan, the district tax rate is expected to increase 2.9 percent next year, from $8.28 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to $8.52 per $1,000.

A proposition to extend the district’s contract with Westhampton Beach, where East Quogue’s middle school and high school students attend school on a tuition basis, was passed by a total of 515-122. The contract, which was set to expire in June 2013, has been extended to June 2014.

Hampton Bays

Voters approved the school district’s $42.6 million budget in a vote of 906-519 on Tuesday. In addition, voters passed a proposition to allow the district to spend $300,000 in unspent funds to complete repairs and upgrades to school facilities. The proposition passed by a total of 890-444.

Taxpayers can expect to see a 4.1-percent increase in taxes next year, as the district tax rate will climb to $9.15 per $1,000 of assessed value.

There were no surprises in the uncontested race for the School Board as incumbent Chris Garvey and newcomer Warren Booth were both elected to serve three-year terms on the five-member board. Mr. Garvey received 989 votes and Mr. Booth finished with 944 votes.

Mr. Garvey, who previously served on the board from 1999 until 2003, was appointed to the board last year to fill the seat vacated by former board member Chris Katz. Mr. Garvey also serves on the Suffolk County Board of Cooperative Educational Services.

Mr. Booth, who has been a volunteer with the Hampton Bays Fire Department for 22 years, was elected to the seat currently held by board member Lisa Fotopoulos. She did not seek reelection.

Although he admitted to being nervous about serving on the board, Mr. Booth said he is looking forward to serving the people of Hampton Bays. “I am excited for the challenge,” he said.