Sachem Budget Voter's Guide: Super Tuesday 2011

On Tuesday, May 17, the Sachem community will have the opportunity to vote for the school budget and board of education election. Here's a breakdown of all the information you need to know before heading to the polls ... 

School Budget Breakdown

• Proposed budget for 2011-12: $287.8 million
• Last year’s budget for 2010-11: $282 million
• Total increase: 4.49 percent
• Tax increase per town, per home: Brookhaven ($265), Islip ($224) and Smithtown (297)
• Total estimated school tax levy: $151 million
• Proposed cuts/changes: Half of the co-curricular activities at the secondary level, half of middle school sports teams, modifications to the G.A.T.E program, elimination of an attendance aide position and 93 members of Sachem's instructional staff were let go, however, this is not entirely due to the budget. District administrators and Sachem Central Teacher Association representatives said it's a combined issue of finances and decreasing enrollment across Sachem.

If it doesn’t pass?

A contingency budget would come in around $285.3 million, which is a 2.77 percent tax increase from last year. Among the proposed items to cut if the budget is voted down are all co-curricular activities, the elimination of the Gifted And Talented Education (GATE) program, the elimination of all remaining middle school sports teams, the elimination of the marching band traveling to competitions off Long Island, as well as the reduction of two music teachers. Other cuts include the abolishment of one attendance aide position. The total reduction would amount to $2.4 million.

Board of Education Candidates

For a look at every candidate, read the profiles on the links below.

• Christine Lampitelli, board trustee, incumbent:  ... .
• Dan Smith, running for Lampitelli’s seat:
• Mike Licata, board trustee, incumbent:  ... .
• Dorothy Roberts, running for Licata’s seat:  ... .
• Teri Ahearn, running unopposed for seat:
• Mike Isernia, running unopposed to retain his seat for one year:

Where to vote?

Every elementary school (check the map to the right) from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Other stories to check out

The results

Be sure to check Sachem Patch Tuesday evening for updates on the results of the budget vote and school board election. We’ll have full coverage as soon as the information is available.