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Elections

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Budget Vote Breakdown by School

Tamarac was the scene of the highest percentage of vote for the budget.

A $291.36 million proposed 2012/13 school budget passed on Tuesday. The budget received 60.2 percent approval, 5,031 for and 3,323 against. With 8,354 votes cast, the budget needed 5,013 votes (or 60 percent) to pass as the budget exceeded the state's new tax cap. Voting took place at all 12 Sachem elementary schools. The broken down figures from each polling location are below. Every location collected a majority vote for the budget. Tamarac had the highest percentage (67.7) of voters in favor of the budget. Hiawatha had the lowest percentage (53.6) of voters in favor. Official Results By School

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

UPDATED: School Budget Passes by 18 Votes, Duncan Re-Elected to Board

Budget approved on supermajority vote; incumbent Douglas Duncan defeats Jeff Vinci and Jon Siegel for only contested Board of Education seat.

Sachem residents green-lighted a 2012/13 school budget on Tuesday, giving the $291.36 million proposal the 60 percent supermajority it needed to pass. The spending plan, over the state's new tax cap, received 60.2 percent of the vote, 5,031-3,323. With 8,354 votes cast, the budget required 5,013 votes for it to be put into effect. "I mean this, I've been here 30 years and I have never, ever once been disappointed by the people in this community and I can continue to say that," Superintendent James Nolan said after the votes were tabulated. Incumbent Douglas Duncan won the single contested Board of Education seat handily, defeating Jeff Vinci and Jon Siegel for another three-year term. Duncan received 3,406 votes, Vinci tallied 2,159 and …

Voters Guide: School Budget, BOE Election

Polls open from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday at all 12 elementary schools.

Sachem residents cast their ballots Tuesday on a 2012/13 school budget, along with selecting members of the Board of Education. Here is what you need to know: Budget The proposed budget is $291.36 million, a 1.2 percent spending increase over the current year. The budget, however, carries a 4.2 percent hike in the school tax levy. That is above the 2.8 percent allowed under the state's new tax cap. If the budget passes, school taxes will rise on average by $256, $224 and $304 for residents in the Towns of Brookhaven, Islip and Smithtown, respectively. Sachem is among 17 out of 124 districts on Long Island to propose a budget over the tax cap, according to Newsday. What does that mean? Local municipalities have the option to override the …

Monday, May 14, 2012

Douglas Duncan: Why You Should Elect Me to the School Board

A final pitch from BOE candidate Douglas Duncan before Tuesday's election.

Editor's note: Patch has offered all three candidates (Douglas Duncan, Jon Siegel and Jeff Vinci) for the one contested Sachem Board of Education seat the opportunity to tell residents in their own words why they are the best choice. The following was submitted by the incumbent Douglas Duncan. A full voters guide to Tuesday's budget vote and board election will appear on Patch Monday evening. Dear Residents, I have had the honor and the privilege of serving on the Sachem Board of Education for the past six years. I first ran my freshman year of college and won, and then was humbled to be voted in by the community for a second term on the board, and I now ask you to send me back for a third term. For the past six years, we have been able to…

Michael Swanson

11:10 pm on Monday, May 14, 2012

So Mr. Duncan, why won't you respond to the allegations being discussed about you. If there aren't true you should deny them. Don't the hardworking parents and taxpayers of this community deserve to know the truth. Where is that personal character you pride yourself on?   more ›

Jon Siegel: Why You Should Elect Me to the School Board

A final pitch from BOE candidate Jon Siegel before Tuesday's election.

Editor's note: Patch has offered all three candidates (Douglas Duncan, Jon Siegel and Jeff Vinci) for the one contested Sachem Board of Education seat the opportunity to tell residents in their own words why they are the best choice. The following was submitted by Jon Siegel. A full voters guide to Tuesday's budget vote and board election will appear on Patch Monday evening. Dear Sachem residents, My name is Jon Siegel and I am running for the Sachem Board of Education. I am a lifelong Sachem Resident, class of 1986 graduate, homeowner, and parent of three children who attend our schools. I am also like the majority of you, tired of watching our children’s educational opportunities be reduced and our home values decrease as we struggle to …

Thursday, May 10, 2012

BOE Candidate Spotlight: Robert Scavo

Scavo is running unopposed for a third-term on the board.

Editor's note: This is the fifth in a series of profiles of this year's Board of Education candidates. The election will be held May 15 at the same time as the school budget vote. Robert Scavo is running unopposed for a three-year term on the Sachem Board of Education. Scavo, the current board president, was first elected to the board in 2006. Q&A 1) Please briefly describe your bio (age, education, occupation and name of your employer/s, family, etc.) I’m 43 years old and graduated from Sachem in 1986. I attended Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island and graduated in 1991 earning a degree in occupational science. I also attended S.U.N.Y Oswego and obtained my degree in career and technical education. I currently work as a culinary …

MJD0615

3:14 pm on Monday, May 14, 2012

Sachem district school taxes are disgraceful. Top administrators should be part of the solution...not part of the problem. We need a whole NEW school board that is more in touch with the taxpayers.   more ›

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

BOE Candidate Spotlight: Jeff Vinci

Vinci says top administrators should have forfeited raises in proposed budget.

Editor's note: This is the fourth in a series of profiles of this year's Board of Education candidates. The election will be held May 15 at the same time as the school budget vote. Jeff Vinci, a newcomer to running for elected office, is seeking a seat on the Sachem Board of Education. The 41-year-old Holbrook resident is running for the seat currently held by Douglas Duncan. It's the only contested seat on the board this year and it's a three-way contest between Vinci, Duncan and Jon Siegel. Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here. Q&A 1) Please briefly describe your bio (age, education, occupation and name of your …

John Malone

4:09 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

Jeff, on meet the candidates night you stated that you are in favor of half-day Kindergarten, can you explain why you are in favor of that? You also stated that you had no problem with unfunded state mandates, can you explain why you are in favor of that?   more ›

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

BOE Candidate Spotlight: Jon Siegel

Siegel says he does not agree with board decision to propose budget that exceeds tax cap.

Editor's note: This is the third in a series of profiles of this year's Board of Education candidates. The election will be held May 15 at the same time as the school budget vote. Jon Siegel is looking to reclaim a spot on the Sachem Board of Education. The 43-year-old served one term on the board from 2006-09. He did not run for re-election in 2009. Siegel is running for the seat currently held by Douglas Duncan. It's the only contested seat on the board this year and it's a three-way contest between Siegel, Duncan and Jeff Vinci. Q&A 1) Please briefly describe your bio (age, education, occupation and name of your employer/s, family, etc.)   I am 43 years old, a Sachem Class of 86 graduate who attended Dowling College. I am partner in an …

Jon Siegel

7:07 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

Mr. Malone, my firm has never bid on any school district work in Sachem or any school district on Long Island, bidding on this work was something I was thinking about and felt it would be a conflict of interest so I did not entertain it. Moreover your comment about my relationship with my Gorman is inaccurate and during my tenure on the board Mr. Gorman took a rather negative approach towards me …   more ›

Monday, May 7, 2012

BOE Candidate Spotlight: Douglas Duncan

Incumbent Duncan is facing two challengers.

Editor's note: This is the second in a series of profiles of this year's Board of Education candidates. The election will be held May 15 at the same time as the school budget vote. Douglas Duncan was first elected to the Sachem Board of Education in 2006 at the age of 18. Six years later, Duncan faces two challengers (Jeff Vinci and Jon Siegel) as he seeks a third three-year term on the board. Q&A 1) Please briefly describe your bio (age, education, occupation and name of your employer/s, family, etc.) I am 24 years old, Sachem graduate, and I am receiving my degree from Dowling College this spring for political science and a minor in history. I am the president and CEO of Northeast Athletic Association, a non-profit that I founded which …

Stephanie Volpe

7:10 pm on Saturday, May 12, 2012

There it is!!!! There it is!!! There is the threat to scare parents into voting yes! HALF DAY KINDERGARTEN!!! Good grief!!! How about using some of the surplus money and cutting the pay increases in our district? Why is our super getting raises on top of a 200+K a year paycheck. This makes no sense!   more ›

Thursday, May 3, 2012

BOE Candidate Spotlight: Michael Isernia

Incumbent Isernia is running unopposed for his first full term on the board.

Editor's note: This is the first in a series of profiles of this year's Board of Education candidates. The election will be held May 15 at the same time as the school budget vote. Michael Isernia is running unopposed for a three-year term on the Sachem Board of Education. Isernia was appointed to the board in 2010 after David Egloff stepped down mid-year. Isernia, 49, ran unopposed last year for a one-year term on the board. Isernia graduated from Sachem in 1981. He holds a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Maritime, a master’s from Dowling College and a J.D. from Touro College. Prior to being a board trustee, he served on the capital projects and budget advisory committee in Sachem. Isernia has been a general practice attorney in Lake …

Stephanie Volpe

3:57 pm on Saturday, May 12, 2012

If enrollment is decreasing why approve an inflated ridiculous budget? Also why do you think enrollment is decreasing? Young families can not afford to live here because of the insane taxes!   more ›

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