A steady flow of voters trickled into Whiporwil Tuesday to cast their vote on the 2013-14 Hauppauge school budget.
The budget is set at $101,834,716 and carries a tax levy increase of 3.6 percent.
The bulk of the budget increase has to do with skyrocketing pension costs, which are mandated by the state. Employer contributions into the teachers’ retirement system will increase by 37 percent, school officials said at a budget meeting last Tuesday. In addition, the district’s contributions into the employee retirement system, which includes most non-instructional personal, will jump by 22 percent. The increases have forced the district's pension costs up by roughly $2.5 million.
Despite rising costs, the district will not be laying off any teachers due to budget cuts. 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.
The sunny weather Tuesday helped motivate residents to come out to vote.
"I came out today because I want to make sure everything is at its best. I also want to see what the school is doing with the money," resident Marilyn Weigel, said.
It appeared Tuesday afternoon that many residents are satisfied with the budget plan.
"I think they're doing a fantastic job with the economic situation," Cindy Arancio, said. "There are small increases each year and they didn't have to lay off too many people, which is good."
However, some residents said the school district needs to do better with what they've been given.
"After seeing how low Hauppauge is ranked on the national level, it's time for a change," said Mark Amir.
The polls will be open until 10 p.m.
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