Montauk, Wainscott Schools Ready for Budget Hearings Wednesday

The Montauk and Wainscott school districts, both of which are adhering to the Governor's cap on tax levy increases, will hold public hearings on the proposed 2012-13 budgets on Wednesday evening.

An $18.5 million budget will be presented to the Montauk voters at the at 6 p.m. Please note, the time was incorrectly stated in the legal notice in one of the local papers, according to district clerk Grace Lightcap.

The proposal is an increase of about $400,000 over the 2011-12 budget.

The tax levy increase, before exemptions, is 2.10 percent. The district said the tax rate is estimated at $53.16 per $100 of assessed value.

One seat is up on the school board. Kelly White is seeking re-election. The district had to , due to state law after a candidate withdrew his name. The new deadline for petitions is on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

In addition to the budget and election-related propositions, the district will also ask voters to approve the with , where Montauk students attend high school, for July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2016.

Also, is being held at the Montauk School on Wednesday between 2 and 6 p.m.

Montauk on May 15 from 2 to 8 p.m. Voting takes place at the school.

Over on the other end of town, the board will present a $3.5 million budget, a 2.11 percent decrease over the 2011-12 budget, during a hearing at the school at 5:30 p.m.

The estimated tax rate for East Hampton Town residents is $18.20 per $100 assessed value and .142 cents per $1,000 assessed value for Southampton Town residents.

The proposed tax levy increase is 2.22 percent, which is allowed due to certain state exemptions.

The district is the smallest in the Town of East Hampton. This year, 17 students attend the elementary school through third grade. Fourth grade students and older are sent to the at Wainscott's expense.

There are a total of four propositions on the ballot in Wainscott; the budget, the election of two trustees, the establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund, and to ratify the tuition contract with East Hampton, for the same period as Montauk.

Incumbent David Eagan and parent Kelly Anderson are running for the two open seats on the school board. Eagan's term was up and the led to a vacancy on the three-person board. Whoever garners the most votes will receive a full three-year term. The second highest vote-getter will fill Osborn's unexpired term of two years.

at the Wainscott School from 2 to 8 p.m. Hours have been extended since last year.

A copy of Montauk's budget has been attached here. The Wainscott budget is available on its website in a PowerPoint presentation.