West Babylon School Budget Fails To Garner Votes To Pierce Tax Cap

WEST BABYLON, NY — West Babylon residents have spoken — and the future remains uncertain as voters failed to pass a proposed budget piercing the tax cap by the required 60 percent vote.

The West Babylon School District's proposed budget of $136,882,275 reflects a budget-to-budget increase of a 5.774 percent from the current $129,410,664 and a tax levy increase of 4.99 percent, has passed with 1,333 votes for "yes" and 1,028 votes for "no."

Since this year’s proposed budget exceeds the tax cap, it required a supermajority voter approval of 60 percent to pass. The budget garnered 1,333 "yes" votes and 1,028 "no votes," or 50.09 percent.

However, the proposed budget did not secure the required 60 percent voter approval so the board of education and administration will meet within the coming days to discuss possible next steps, the school said.

In the case where the 60 percent is not reached, the board can opt to hold another election, proposing the same, or a revised, budget. If that budget also does not pass, the district is forced to adopt a contingency budget, where programs may be cut and other activities curtailed.

In the race for Board of Education, four candidates ran for three open seats.

Stephan Maucere received 1,387 votes, Anthony Raccomandato received 1,503 votes, incumbent John Evola received 1,349 votes and Shannon Camarda received 1,005 votes.

Maucere, Raccomandato and Evola have officially been elected as trustees and will serve as trustees for a three-year term.