2013 Commack Voter Guide: How Will You Vote?

Voters in Commack will head to the polls on Tuesday to say “yes” or “no” to the School District’s proposed $179,386,921 million 2013-14 budget.

When school budget discussions first began in Commack, the district was positioned to cut health personnel, guidance counselors, late buses and more as the district struggles with an astronomical surge in pension payments: a $3.5 million increase next year. However, restoration of state aid to the tune of $2.1 million will help save some of those expected services.   

The largest increases in the budget are due to skyrocketing teacher pension costs, which are rising by about 40 percent next year, as well as contractual obligations including increased salaries and benefits.  

Class sizes will remain around the current level and added security will also be seen in the school buildings. New next school year will be the addition of technology such as e-tablets, video conferencing and iPads, which were all grant funded.  

Still, some cuts were made. To meet required costs and adjust to lower enrollment, about $3 million in reductions were made from the current spending plan. Some of those reductions include fewer buses for declining enrollment, the elimination of an elementary lead teacher stipend for arts, a reduction in library monitor and one full-time librarian, the reduction of two full-time nurses, the elimination of five full-time custodians and four clerical staff members. Other reductions include a mental health professional position and consolidation of under-enrolled teams.

Will you vote yes or no? Why? Log in to Patch and tell us in the comments.

Proposition 1: Quick Facts
• Proposed Budget: $179,386,921.
• Average Tax Increase for Homeowners: $270 - $280.
• Tax Levy Increase: 2.91 percent (below the cap).
• Year-Over-Year Budget Increase: $8 million.    

Proposition 2: Should the number of members on the Commack Union Free School District’s Board of Education be increased from 5 to 7 members? Share your thoughts on this topics here.

Recent Budget Coverage on Commack Patch:

• Commack School Budget Discussions Come to a Close
  
• Commack School Board Adopts $179M Budget
  
• $2.2M in Aid Restored for Commack Schools in Final State Budget
  
• School Budget: Sparks Fly at Heated Hearing

• Location: Commack Middle School (700 Vanderbilt Pkwy) and Commack High School (1 Scholar Lane). 
• Residents who live north of Jericho Turnpike will vote at Commack High School located at the corner of Townline Road and Scholar Lane. Residents who live south of Jericho Turnpike will cast their ballots at Commack Middle School located on Vanderbilt Parkway. 
• Vote between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.