District Says Budget Approval is Good for Students, Homeowners

Voters for the on Tuesday, something Superintendent Edward Ehmann said is beneficial to both the students in the district and homeowners.

The approval had a difference of nearly 2,000 votes Tuesday, with a final tally of 3,587 to 1,618.

"We're very pleased that the budget passed and what it means for the district is that we're able to maintain much of the core program that is so valuable to the students of this district," he said.

While the budget was approved, Ehmann said going into Tuesday that he had confidence voters would approve the budget but wasn't sure how many people would hit the polls and vote "no."

"You always have a question mark I guess as to how the community is going to respond ... the facts of the matter are the district has been very dilligent over the past five years in curbing the tax levy increase for the community," he said.

Ehmann stated that in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 school years there was a 0 percent tax levy increase, in 2010-11 there was a 1.7 percent increase, in 2011-12 there was a 4.9 percent increase, and with this approval there will be a 2.3 percent increase. The average increase over this period of time is 1.74 percent.

Readers have hit the Smithtown Patch comments section to voice displeasure with the budget, and questioned why there is a tax levy increase when the closing next year of Nesconset Elementary should save the district almost $1 million and 45 teachers and faculty members would be out of work saving the district more than $3 million.

While the budget process has come under fire by locals, Ehmann maintains the budget is good for all people involved, homeowners and students.

"People are upset over any increase, I get it, but many times there are some costs that we have no control over so you have two choices: reduce your program or raise the levy, and what we try to do is a combination of both," he said.