Northport Voters Pass 2011-12 Budget; Sabia Top Vote Getter

voters passed a $151-million spending budget on Tuesday for the 2011-12 school year.

With a final tally of 3,114 to 2,348, homeowners within the Northport-East Northport School district can expect to see a 1.69 percent increase in their collective tax levy in the following year. 

Saying the bulk of the spending increase was due to raises in teachers' salaries and employee retirement payments, Superintendent Marylou McDermottsaid the proposed budget increase the "lowest of the 18 school districts that use the services of Western Suffolk BOCES" in the 'Our Schools' newsletter. 

With a final tally of 3,753 to 1,442, Proposition 2 was approved. It would tap a maximum of  $900,000 from the capital reserve fund of $1.4 million to repair two boilers at the East Northport Middle School, as well as the steps in front of the, which have become damaged by skateboarders and general wear-and-tear.

Voters also selected four candidates to serve on the Board of Education. They are in this order: Joe Sabia, Jennifer Thompson, Tammie Topel and Kristen Gavin. 

Voting took place at the Brosnan building as well as Fifth Avenue and Dickinson Avenue elmentary schools gymnasium from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Read more coverage on Northport Patch Wednesday.