Schools
Westhampton Beach Budget Eliminates Teachers, Stays Under Cap
Will you vote for or against the budget?
On Tuesday, Westhampton Beach taxpayers are being asked to approve a $53.5 million budget that carries with it a $1.7 million increase in spending and $27.3 million tax levy.
The budget eliminates 10 teaching positions, as well as funding from several sports teams, including the varsity bowling team, the JV boys volleyball team and JV cheerleading squad. It also calls for a phasing out of popular programs, including American Sign Language and Latin.
The district estimates that for a homeowner with a home assessed at $650,000, school taxes will increase $137 a year or $11.42 a month.
If the budget fails, the district said it will be forced to cut another $1,700,000 from the budget. On the chopping block under that scenario are cuts to athletic and extracurricular activities and elimination of elective programs.
For more on the budget, click here.
School Board Candidates:
In Westhampton Beach, two open seats are available with three candidates running. Candidates are incumbent Halsey C. Stevens, former board member Joyce L. Donneson and newcomer Claire Bean. Find out more about them here.
Related Reading:
7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Westhampton Beach High School's large group instruction room.
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