Voters Approve School Budget, Elect D'Angelo

Despite facing a 3.99% property tax increase, Bayport-Blue Point residents came out in support of the proposed school budget, approving the 2011-12 spending plan by a vote of 1,511-887.

In addition to giving a nod to the school budget for the coming school year, Bayport-Blue Point residents also elected incumbent Diane D’Angelo to a three-year term on the board of education. D’Angelo will officially take her seat on the seven member board in July. 

School district officials and board of education trustees who gathered at Bayport-Blue Point High School Tuesday night to hear the results breathed a sigh of relief following the budget’s passage.

Board president Jim March said he was impressed with the amount of residents who voted this year.

"We want the residents to know we're appreciative of the support," he said.

March noted that according to his quick calculations, the district garnered the percentage of votes it would need, 60%, to override the 2% tax cap that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed, if the cap is eventually imposed.

The district will operate on a $63.6 million budget for the 2011-12 school year, with a tax levy increase of 3.99% and a budget-to-budget increase of $1.67 million (2.7%).