North Fork School Budget Votes Tuesday: What You Need To Know

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NORTH FORK, NY — Voters will head to the poll Tuesday to weigh in on North Fork school budgets and Board of Education races.

Greenport

The proposed $26,959,058.00 budget for 2025 to 2026 calls for an increase of 6.2 percent and a tax levy increase of 2.99 percent, which is within the district’s tax levy cap.

"It is an honor to introduce myself as the new Superintendent of Greenport Union Free School District," Beth Doyle said, in her budget message. "Since beginning this role on March 5, I have had the privilege of meeting many dedicated educators, engaged students, and supportive families who make Greenport such a special place. With a background in both school district leadership and finance and a deep commitment to student success, I am eager to work alongside our community to ensure every child receives a high-quality education as well as ensuring that every dollar invested in our schools directly benefits student learning and success. My approach is guided by the belief that strong schools are the heart of a thriving community, and I look forward to building on Greenport’s proud traditions while fostering innovation and excellence."

The budget, she said, "reflects our unwavering dedication to providing a high-quality education while maintaining fiscal responsibility. This budget ensures that we continue to offer a well-rounded educational experience that prepares students for future success."

The proposed budget, she said, supports maintaining high-quality academic programs and student support services; access to technology and modern instructional resources; continued investment in extracurricular activities and athletics; maintenance and improvements to school facilities; and responsible financial planning to sustain long-term district goals.

"Our Board of Education and administrative team have worked diligently to develop a budget that prioritizes student needs while being mindful of our taxpayers. This budget allows us to maintain and enhance the educational programs that make Greenport UFSD a wonderful place for learning," Doyle said.

Incumbent Board of Education candidates and incumbents Jaime Martilotta and Emily Whitecavage are running unopposed.

Voting will take place from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the "Dude" Manwaring gymnasium.

Southold

The Southold Union Free School District's proposed $35,629,000 million budget reflects a 3.18 percent spending increase, with a 2.75 percent tax levy increase, within the district's tax levy cap.

Two candidates, Kristian Prior and Jason Barkley, are running to fill one open seat; Brian Tobin is not seeking reelection.

The vote takes place between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Southold Jr./Sr. High School gymnasium on Oaklawn Avenue.

Mattituck

The proposed $46,765,442 budget for the Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District Board of Education for 2025 to 2026 represents a spending increase of $1,420,045, or 3.13 percent, and a 2.97 tax levy increase that falls beneath the cap.

"Each year our Board of Education puts our students and community first when preparing the annual budget and this year is no different," the BOE's budget message said. "Despite the fiscal challenges and unknowns our community is facing, our changing demographics, increased interest in our AP classes, our stellar special education programs and a never-ending commitment to prepare our students for the future continues to guide us forward. We are conscious of the struggles of our taxpayers which help to lead our administration and superintendent to create a responsible budget that once again falls under the tax levy cap. Our proposed 2.97 percent increase on our tax levy does just that."

The BOE added: "As a district, we strive to offer a large variety of extracurricular activities, a proven successful extended learning day for our students, a BOCES collaboration with a newly formed carpentry program, optimal class sizes, shared athletic teams and a multi-tiered support system for all grades K-8. Our robust art and music programs, additional foreign language level and our ever-present socialemotional support teams are all areas that are priorities in this annual work."

Proposition No. 2, the BOE's message said, is for the establishment of a capital reserve fund to accumulate funds to finance district-wide facilities improvements. The funds come from capital reserves set aside that do not affect the tax levy.

Three candidates are vying for two board of education seats: Jennifer Anderson, an incumbent, has thrown her hat back into the race and is facing off against Linda Stravrinos and Lauren Ocker.

Voting takes place Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., in the high school gym.

Shelter Island

Shelter Island is one of three districts, including Hicksville and Elwood, on Long Island seeking to pierce the cap: The 2025 to 2026 budget of $13,855,325 represents a 5.77 percent increase, with a 6.97 percent tax levy increase, piercing the tax cap limit and requiring a 60 percent majority vote to pass.

"The district has not sought to pierce the property tax cap in a decade. However, as costs beyond the district’s control have increased, there is an inability to stay within the cap and still offer the same programs and services to the district’s students," the BOE said. "Programs in the district are run in a lean and efficient manner. Cutting to stay within the property tax cap will require major changes to the character of the Shelter Island School."

Also on the ballot are three propositions:

Proposition #2, for the FIT Center

- Voters will be asked to approve taking $49,823.42 from reserves to replace the roof on the
FIT Center. There is no tax impact for this project as the money is coming from a savings
account established for that purpose.

Proposition #3 - Busing

- Voters will be asked to increase the transportation limits for private school busing from 15 miles to 19 miles.

Proposition #4 - History Museum

- Voters will be asked to agree to annually raise $275,000 in taxes to fund a portion of the operations and maintenance cost of the Shelter Island History Museum. If approved, taxes will increase to cover the impact.

BOE candidates, incumbent Kathleen M. Lynch and Molly Kendall, are running unopposed.

The budget vote takes place from noon to 9 p.m. at the school gym.

Oysterponds

The district's $5,841,258 budget represents a 3.65 percent spending increase and a tax levy increase of 3.5 percent, which falls under the tax cap. Voters will be asked to weigh in on propositions including approval to fund repairs and to establish a $5 million capital reserve fund for technology updates, renovations, building improvements and more.

BOE candidates Thomas Stevenson, Miriam Foster, and Erin Stanton are running unopposed.

Voting takes place from 2 to 8 p.m. in the school gymnasium.