West Babylon Revised School Budget Explained, Re-Vote Set For Tuesday

WEST BABYLON, NY — West Babylon School District's revised budget vote will take place on Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. after voters failed to pass a proposed budget piercing the tax cap by the required 60 percent vote in May, as Patch reported.

The district's original proposed budget of $136,882,275 reflected a budget-to-budget increase of 5.774 percent from the most recent budget of $129,410,664 and a tax levy increase of 4.99 percent.

The revision proposes a total budget of $136,349,275 and a tax levy increase of 2.01 percent.

While passing the first proposed budget required a 60 percent vote, the revised proposed budget requires a simple majority vote of 50 percent +1 voter approval, according to the school district.

According to district officials, the revised budget includes using a $4.658 million "in total fund balance and reserves to lower the tax impact for residents."

In addition, the district said the re-vote budget "priorities the academic and social-emotional health needs of students."

It will also maintain full-day kindergarten, programs including athletics, music, art and technology, robotics and science research, average class size for all grades, district community and security, secondary electives and AP offerings, according to district officials.

The revised budget will reduce the K-8 intervention and lab program, that was included in the original proposal. It will also eliminate the 9th-grade student health program, as stated in the original proposal.

"We believe this revised budget maintains our commitment to student success, while continuing to prioritize critical programs and resources for our students," West Babylon School District Superintendent Dr. Yiendhy Farrelly told Patch.

If the revote fails, an additional $1,663,313 million in reductions from the proposed budget will be required. Furthermore, the district will continue to operate under the contingency budget that is restricted to ordinary contingent expects considered "necessary to provide the minimum services legally required" to operate and maintain school buildings and education programs, preserve the property of the district and ensure the health and safety of students and staff, the district said.

Furthermore, the contingency budget means eliminating athletics and all student clubs and cocurricular programs, robotics and science research, and public use of school grounds unless there's no cost to the district.

In addition, the contingency budget will reduce secondary electives and AP offerings, K-8 intervention and lab programs, and cut kindergarten to a half-day program.

Residents north of Sunrise Highway will vote at Santapogue Elementary School. Residents south of Sunrise Highway will vote at the administration building. Polls are open from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.

"We encourage all residents within the West Babylon School District to come out and vote tomorrow, June 18, and make an informed decision about the future of our schools," Farrelly said.