Patchogue-Medford School District Budget Passes

Residents of Patchogue and Medford passed the 2010-2011 school budget by a margin of 300 votes; a major departure for a school district that went straight into contingency after an overwhelming vote against the 2009-2010 budget.

The $161,909,628 budget, which increased by 3.58 percent from the previous year, will also result in a 2.9 percent tax increase.

The approved budget will reinstate several programs that were cut from last year's contingency budget, create legally mandated programs that did not previously exist, and maintain all current staff and equipment.

The district had a steady turnout of voters throughout the day. Some that came out despite the inclement weather shared their view on the budget proposal; most preferred to have their names withheld due to the controversy surrounding this topic.

One mother of a 13-year-old boy in Saxton Middle School was strongly in favor of the budget passing. She said, "I don't want them to lose sports and other extras. I don't want the kids to suffer."

The father of a seventh-grader said, "I'm voting yes, reluctantly … if we vote no, the only people hurt are the kids."

On the other side of the fence the parent of a senior and junior in high school voted against the budget saying, "We can't afford our taxes; it adds up. We just can't keep giving in today's economy."

Another father of a child in the district said he would be voting in favor of the budget passing even if he weren't a parent because, "It gives kids something to do besides get in trouble [whether it's] sports, drama, chorus whatever they're into. They should have what we had and we should not take it out on the kids because times are tough."

Kathleen Parrino has a son in first grade and is a teacher adamant about the imperative nature of the budget passing. She said, "I feel we need to support the community, the children and the future. Think about what type of families we want to attract to the Patchogue-Medford School District."

In addition to the budget vote, the race was on to fill a vacated seat on the Patchogue-Medford Board of Education. Longtime trustee and erstwhile BOE president Michael Miles declined seeking re-election. Donald Atkins and Debra Rafano were vying for Miles' seat. Incumbent Trustee Thomas P. Donofrio ran unopposed for re-election.

Atkins won the seat with 2780 votes to Rafano's 1572.

The evening was bittersweet for Rafano. She said, "Hopefully I have a better shot next year. I'm absolutely thrilled the budget passed."

Atkins plans to utilize the fiscal expertise he's garnered as a vice-president and manager for one of the world's pre-eminent financial corporations to aid in controlling spending. He recently served on the superintendent's Budget Finance Committee. Atkins said shortly after his victory, "We have to come together, the board, administrators, taxpayers … that's what I'm striving for and to help on the financial side."

The newly elected board member graduated from Patchogue-Medford in 1970 and said, "I have a lot of fond memories from the district."

As the final tally was announced in the auditorium of Saxton Middle School at around 10 p.m. Tuesday night, the room erupted in cheers, applause and whistles, with no sign of disappointment in sight.

Due to the budget passing two new programs will be implemented: BOCES for juniors (which was cut last year), and the required legal requisite for kindergarten physical education will be adopted. New equipment is back in the budget and there will be no staff cuts or increase in class size.

Dennis M. Logan, Patchogue-Medford district clerk pointed out that the budget passing also has a, "public relations value … when bonding agencies access us they look at whether the district passes the budget … having passed the budget increases property values. Now young families will settle here."

Logan who is usually preparing for a second budget vote at this time of year is now looking forward to enjoying the spring fishing season. He said, "We're not in limbo; we're no longer hanging on the fence. Now it's time to focus on staff and operational plans for next year."