The community has spoken and Sachem’s proposed budget vote, which included a 7.49 percent tax increase for the 2013-2014 school year, has failed. Needing a super majority 60 percent of the vote since the increase pierces the tax cap, Sachem received 54 percent. The total vote was, 6,826-5,762.
The 2013-2014 budget is $293,041,954, a 0.58 increase from the previous school year.
The Sachem community will now have to vote on a contingency budget on Tuesday, June 18. The school board must decide by June 5 what the next proposed tax increase will be. The board’s original leaning was for a 3.14 percent increase at the tax cap in previous discussions.
Reductions to the tax cap could mean …
- Increase in elementary/secondary class size
- Half day kindergarten
- Elimination of the GATE program
- Elimination of the science research program
- Varsity level sports only
- Elimination of ALL extra curricular activities/clubs
- 50 percent reduction to non-mandated music
- Elimination of cheerleading, Arrowettes and marching band
- 50 percent reduction in elementary library program
Sachem Board of Education members Tony Falco, Sal Tripi and Mike Timo all ran unopposed this year and retained their seats on the school board.
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(Official release of Sachem Central School District)