Smithtown Residents Approve School Budgets, Give BOE Incumbents Seal of Approval
The majority of residents across the Town of Smithtown voted “yes” to their districts’ proposed budgets and approved their board of education incumbents.
Smithtown Central School District
Smithtown residents passed the $255,203,276 budget for 2020-21, 7,345 to 3,726.
Incumbents Matthew Gribbin (8,295), Frank James (5,479) and Jerry Martusciello (8,362) retained their seats on the board. Kevin Craine, who challenged James’ seat, received 4,104 votes.
The 2020-21 budget is a 1.50 percent increase from last year’s budget, and the tax levy increase of 1.82 percent is under the cap.
Commack School District
Commack School District’s 2020-21 budget of $199,759,525 was approved by residents, 5,332 to 2,128.
Trustee Susan Hermer retained her seat with 3,401 votes. Her challenger Mike Weisberg garnered 3,021. Incumbent William Hender ran unopposed and received 5,157 votes.
The 2020-2021 school budget has a tax cap levy increase of 1.99 percent with a budget-to-budget increase of 1.37 percent.
Kings Park Central School District
Kings Park residents voted in favor of the $96,510,404 budget, 3,223 to 1,859.
Joe Bianco ran unopposed and was elected to a three-year term with 4,146 votes.
The budget represents a 2.80 percent increase over last year’s total of $93,880,803, with a 3.27 percent tax levy increase.
“During these challenging times, I am most thankful for the ongoing support from the Kings Park Community,” said Superintendent Timothy Eagen in an email. “Over the past 14 weeks, the Kings Park family has shown great resiliency, grit and persistence. We have come together as a family. With our budget successfully passed, we can begin to plan for a safe reentry in September.”
Hauppauge Union Free School District
Hauppauge’s 2020-2021 budget of $115,735,467 budget passed 3,907 to 1,314. The budget shows a 0.28 percent decrease, and an increase to the tax levy of 2.3 percent, due to higher property taxes, meets the tax cap.
Board of education trustee incumbents Dr. Lawrence Crafa and James Kiley both ran for another three-year term unopposed and received 3,867 and 3,320 votes, respectively.
