Hauppauge School District voters backed the $101.8 million 2013-14 school budget Tuesday by a vote of 1,510 to 738.
The budget approval means that taxpayers will see a 3.6 tax levy increase, which represents an average tax increase of $200.
Both school board incumbents, Geri Richter, with 1,080 votes and Ginger Todaro, with 970 votes were defeated. Newcomer Robert Scarito was elected with 1,279 votes. Gary Fortmeyer was also elected with 1,271 as well as David Barshay with 1,223 votes.
The public also passed proposition two, which will allow the school board to use $1.2 million from the Capital Reserve Fund to complete asphalt repair and repaving at Bretton Woods and the High School, as well as replace the windows in two wings of Whiporwil.
Other capital projects in the budget include science lab reconstruction at the High School and the addition of access control doors (man traps) at Bretton Woods, Forest Brook, Pines Elementary School and Whiporwil.
Despite rising costs, the district will not be laying off any teachers due to budget cuts, Superintendent Patricia Sullivan-Kriss said at a school board meeting. However, three educators on the elementary level will be let go due to lower enrollment. Two of those positions are due to retirements and will not be filled.
One unique aspect of Hauppauge's budget this year is that business districts will contribute more to the 2013-14 school budget than resident taxpayers.
Businesses and commercial industries will foot the bill for approximately 55 percent of the tax levy, while homeowners will contribute about 45 percent, according to James Stucchio, assistant superintendent for business of operations.
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