Budget and Capital Reserve Propositions Pass; Rogan, DiGiacomo and Palacios Elected
Hours of stormy weather held down turnout, but several thousand Huntington School District residents still came to the polls and approved the budget and capital reserve fund propositions, re-elected Emily Rogan and elected Tom DiGiacomo and Xavier Palacios to three-year terms on the Huntington School Board during 15 hours of voting on Tuesday.
The $111,858,780 spending plan for 2012/13 passed 2,005-803. The $2.299 million capital reserve fund proposition was also easily approved, 1,989-645.
In the race for three seats on the Huntington School Board, voters re-elected Mrs. Rogan (2,029 votes) to a third three-year term and elected Mr. DiGiacomo (1,748) and Mr. Palacios (1,602). Bill Dwyer (1,267) and Susan Tully (1,060) trailed in the balloting.
Residents cast votes on six machines in the Huntington High School lobby. Turnout was low throughout much of the morning hours as several drenching rain storms passed through the area.
"I'd like to express my sincerest thanks to the Huntington community for supporting the 2012/13 school district budget" Superintendent James W. Polansky said. "As a result of this support, we will maintain our ability to provide a high quality education for our students in a fiscally responsible manner. Additionally, as a result of community support for the capital proposition, we will be able to make needed improvements to buildings throughout the district with no effect on the tax rate."
The district crafted a budget that increased the tax levy by 2.21 percent, meeting the requirements of the state's tax cap law. Spending will increase by 2.59 percent. Trustees included funds in the budget to cover an expected continuing decline in assessed valuation. All current academic, co-curricular and athletic programs have been preserved.
"We have successfully navigated through budget construction during a difficult financial time – one that is likely to continue for several years," Mr. Polansky said. "We will persist in our efforts to realize cost savings and efficiencies with the goal of easing the tax burden, while striving to provide our students with an educational program that thoroughly prepares them for college and the 21st century workplace."
Messrs. DiGiacomo and Palacios will take their respective oaths of office in early July at the Huntington School Board's reorganization meeting. The pair will replace retiring trustees Elizabeth Black and Kimberly Brown.
Mr. Polansky is already looking ahead to the future. "Open lines of communication are critical and I encourage district residents to contact us at any time during the year, whether it is to express concerns, ask questions, or recognize a student or staff member accomplishment," the superintendent said. "I am confident that we can build further upon a renewed sense of hopefulness and unity, which will translate to increased student growth and achievement, parental involvement, and community-based collaboration."
It was the second consecutive year that heavy rain fell on the morning of the budget vote and trustee election. Voting picked up in the afternoon and evening hours. About 100 residents cast absentee ballots.
A crowd of about 150 gathered in the lobby as the voting machines were opened and the results announced.