Bayport-Blue Point School District Budget Vote: What You Need To Know

BAYPORT, NY — Bayport-Blue Point residents will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in the 2023 to 2024 school budget vote and school board candidate election.

The Bayport-Blue Point School District's proposed budget of $83,453,366 has a budget-to-budget increase of a 3.07 percent and a tax levy increase of 3.82 percent.

The proposed budget not only preserves all current programs and services, but also seeks to implement two new extracurricular clubs in each school building, expand the co-teaching model at the high school, expand special education programs at the elementary level and enhance cybersecurity practices to further safeguard information,its website said.

It also includes allocations to continue to support mental health services, such as the newly implemented additional social workers and a new behavioral professional, as this is the last year of federal COVID-19 funding.

“Our district strives to convey high expectations, provide all students with opportunities to challenge themselves, and provide support for them to succeed not only academically, but socially and emotionally as well,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Timothy Hearney. “This proposed budget works to achieve those goals while also being mindful of our taxpayers.”

The proposed budget also calls for a $500,000 transfer to capital aimed at addressing several key building projects: districtwide sidewalk/curbing updates; fencing updates/ replacements; floor tile replacements; and pipe and valve replacements. Additional potential projects include updates to the Academy Street softball field, removal of asbestos siding at the maintenance barn structure, heating and boiler updates at Academy Street, replacing the waste lines through the High School and the line that runs from the Middle School girls’ locker room, its website said.

Three candidates are running for two board of education spots. Michael Miller (incumbent) faces challenger Ian D. Savage. Jessica Pignataro, also incumbent, is running unopposed.

Polling will take place at the Bayport Blue Point High School gymnasium, located at 200 Snedecor Ave in Bayport from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m.