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Kevin Springer
Richard Joslin
Hampton Bays residents maintained the status quo with a 644-142 approval of the district’s $59,565,029 budget for the 2022-23 school year, and with the reelection of Board of Education President Kevin Springer and Vice President Richard Joslin.
Joslin won his fifth term by receiving 595 votes, while Springer his fourth by garnering 464 votes. The pair beat out second-time challenger and recently retired Hampton Bays science teacher Richard Iannelli, who collected 377 votes.
“I want to thank the Hampton Bays community for its continued support and trust in me for another term on the BOE,” Joslin said. “I will continue to pursue positive growth for the Hampton Bays schools and look forward to implementing new ideas to promote its success.”
Springer said he was glad that the taxpayers supported the district. “I’m extremely happy for the school district and the taxpayers as we’ve passed another budget that is extremely beneficial to the parents and the students,” he said.
Iannelli said he was pleased to see the budget pass and is proud to have been part of the process.
“Once again, the remarkable job of educating the children of Hampton Bays has been recognized by this strong community,” he said. “I am so grateful for the parents and students that supported me running for the Hampton Bays Board of Education. Although I did not win, I send my congratulations to Richard Joslin and Kevin Springer. I am confident they, with the other BOE members, will help meet and achieve the expectations of the community.”
He also thanked the Parent Teacher Organization and others for the opportunity to open discussions and share his ideas. He hopes many see the meaning behind his experience.
“As an educator, the message to my students was to keep trying — there is lesson learned in every worthwhile effort,” Iannelli said. “I learned much from this process and still have much to offer the Hampton Bays district in the future.”
Voters also approved a second proposition on the ballot May 17, authorizing the use of up to $300,000 of the undesignated, unreserved fund balance from this school year’s budget for repairs, renovations or upgrades to facilities and grounds, with a 666-117 vote.
