School Notebook: Finances Remain the Focus

Babylon Village

Two incumbent trustees on the Babylon Board of Education announced their intention to seek re-election this May. Read the stories about Roger Katz and Lisa McKeown now on Babylon Village Patch.

Half Hollow Hills

The Half Hollow Hills School District will have to tighten its belt another notch as updated budget figures now show $9 million in cuts compared to last year’s spending plan. January estimates suggested the district would have to trim its budget by $6.8 million. Read the story on Half Hollow Hills Patch. 

Lindenhurst

Lindenhurst Superintendent Richard Nathan and Board of Education Member Ray Doran recently met with New York State Assemblyman Robert Sweeney to discuss how unfunded New York state mandates and the Triborough Amendment are affecting the school district. Read the story on Lindenhurst Patch. 

Patchogue

Several Patchogue-Medford High School seniors stood up at Monday's Board of Education meeting at the high school when they found out that two AP science courses could be on the chopping block due to low enrollment. Read the story on Patchogue Patch. 

Sachem

The Sachem Central Teachers Association (SCTA) voted in favor of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) that was set forth to adjust the current contract. Teachers voted, 672-346, passing the motion by 66 percent. By opening the contract the teacher's union will not receive the originally scheduled 2.5 percent salary increase for the 2012-13 school year. It will save the Sachem Central School District $3.5 million, according to SCTA President John Heslin. Read the story on Sachem Patch. 

Sayville-Bayport

Bayport-Blue Point Superintendent Anthony Annunziato is poised to leave the district after seven years to take the same post in the Smithtown Central School District, multiple sources have confirmed to Patch. Read the story on Sayville-Bayport Patch.

West Islip

Athletics were a major topic of discussion at Thursday night's budget workshop at Beach Street Middle School in West Islip, as dozens of parents concerned about further cuts to the district's sports programs came out for the presentation. Read the story on West Islip Patch.