Huntington Voters Pass Budget, Re-elect McGrath and Paci
Voters in the Huntington School District overwhelmingly approved the proposed school budget for 2010/11 and re-elected trustees Richard McGrath and John P. Paci III. More than 4,100 residents cast ballots during 15 hours of voting at the high school on Tuesday.
The $108,786,539 spending plan was easily approved, 2,445 – 1,662. In the race for two seats on the Huntington School Board, residents re-elected Mr. McGrath (2,432) and Mr. Paci (2,070). Challenger Adam Spector trailed by four votes (2,066) in the balloting. It was the closest trustee election in 13 years.
The budget approved by voters carries an estimated tax rate increase of 3.54 percent. The average home in the district assessed at $4,000 is projected to see a tax increase of $275 before STAR program savings are factored in.
The massive turnout came despite a stormy day. Despite sometimes heavy rain, residents steadily showed up at the polls. The last resident to vote did so at exactly 9 p.m.
The vote culminated a long budget process that saw district executives make more than $3 million in spending reductions and grapple with an expected decline in state aid and sharply higher expenses in a number of budget areas.
“We are grateful that residents have approved next year’s budget,” Huntington Superintendent John J. Finello said. “We remain committed to seeking savings in every budget area, economizing whenever possible and being good financial stewards for the community.”
Mr. McGrath’s re-election gives him a fifth term, which he has said will be his final one. By the end of it, he will be one of the longest serving trustees in the history of the district. Mr. Paci earned a second three-year term by edging Mr. Spector by one of the narrowest margins Huntington has ever seen.
A crowd of about 75 turned out to watch the tabulation of votes. Cheers erupted when it became apparent residents had given a green light to the spending plan.
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