After a long budget process stretching across several months and an orderly campaign for three seats on the Huntington School Board, the votes have finally been tabulated.
Huntington School District residents overwhelmingly approved the proposed budget and a separate capital reserve fund proposition, re-elected incumbent trustee Christine Biernacki and elected challengers Theresa Sullivan and Thomas Galvin as trustees during 15 hours of voting at Huntington High School on Tuesday.
The $139,315,854 spending plan for the 2021/22 school year passed, 993-250. A proposition seeking release of $3.525 million from the Building Improvement Fund for various renovation and repair projects also sailed through, 1,074-164.
School Board Race Results
In the race for three seats on the Huntington School Board, voters re-elected Christine Biernacki (914) and elected challengers Theresa Sullivan (856) and Thomas Galvin (786). Incumbent trustee Lynda Tine-D’Anna (721) trailed in the balloting.
The terms of the winning candidates commence on July 1 and run through June 30, 2024. Ballots were cast by more than 1,200 residents on Tuesday. There are about 24,000 registered voters in the district. (Absentee ballots totaled 77.)
Superintendent James W. Polansky expressed his “sincerest gratitude” to district residents after the results were announced. “Your support will help us to further our unwavering commitment toward addressing the needs of students across the grade levels in a fiscally responsible manner and during a particularly challenging time,” he said.
The budget approved by voters carries an estimated tax rate increase of 0.20 percent, the lowest in decades, if not much longer. Trustees will set the tax levy in the fall when final property assessment figures are available. Should the total assessed valuation rise above the projected amount, trustees would be in a position to lower the estimated tax rate increase even further.
“Rest assured that we will maintain our focus on emerging from the pandemic in a manner that supports our students and staff in all regards, enhances instructional and learning experiences across the district and preserves school environments that contribute to the health and well-being of each member of the Huntington school community,” wrote Mr. Polansky in a letter posted on the district website.
School officials currently estimate the 2021/22 tax rate will be $250.96. Taxes would rise on the average assessed home in the district by $17 before STAR program savings are calculated.
Tuesday’s vote culminated a budget process that saw the district striving to keep a lid on expenditures. Spending will rise 2.48 percent, largely due to an increase in non-discretionary costs and an effort to provide needed academic and social-emotional support in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The district anticipates receiving an increase of $6,139,648 in state aid.
“As always, I encourage district residents to reach out at any time during the year with questions or concerns or simply to recognize a student or staff member accomplishment,” wrote Mr. Polansky in his letter to residents. “I remain exceptionally proud of the dedication displayed so routinely by Huntington students, staff, parents and residents toward the success of our schools and welfare of our community. This includes the extraordinary efforts put forth and resilience demonstrated by all during the past 14 months! Thank you for your confidence in the Huntington School District and for continuing to embrace our young people and their futures.”