READER OF THE WEEK IS JOHN DEODATO OF BABYLON
Karen Kunkel Honored Page 3
Vol. 58, No. 23
THURSDAY, June 6, 2024
XXX: X This Week's Calendar Inside
www.babylonbeacon.com
Pets, Pets, Pets Column Page 2C
50 CENTS
WBSD to present new budget June 18; spending plan meets NYS Tax Cap By Carolyn James After the district failed to get the 60 percent voter approval required for passage of its 2024-25 school budget, which pierced the New York Tax Cap, the West Babylon School Board decided last week to present a streamlined budget that meets the cap. The community defeated the initial spending plan of $136.8 million on May 21. The revote is scheduled for Tuesday, June 18. Districts whose voters reject their ini-
tial budget proposals have several options. They can move forward with a contingency spending plan, hold a second election and present the same budget or present a new budget that officials believe the community can support. The West Babylon School Board decided to present a budget that meets the tax cap. The vote on June 18 is from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Residents north of Sunrise Highway vote at Santapogue Elementary School,
IN THE NEWS Newsday names Quinn Ringstad One of the Best Track & Field Athletes Babylon Junior-Senior High School senior Quinn Ringstad was named among the best boys track & field athletes on Long Island by Newsday. The news outlet rated the student athlete according to his performance in the 2023 spring and 2024 winter seasons. Quinn finished 18th amongst athletes from across the state in the high jump, leaping 6 feet, 2 inches at the 2023 spring outdoor state championships. This winter, he cleared 6 feet, ¾ of an inch to place 13th at the Nike Indoor National competition this winter. “Quinn has had strong showings, competing against other track & field athletes from across both the state and country,” said Babylon Athletic Director Michael DeJoseph. “His performance and dedica-tion to the sport has made Babylon proud. Congratulations Quinn!”
See inside for full page photo coverage of the Babylon Village and Lindenhurst Village Memorial Day parades
1130 Herzel Boulevard. Residents south offset expenditures. Overall, the district of Sunrise Highway vote at the district’s is using $4.658 million in total reserves administration building, 10 Farmingdale and fund balance, which includes the additional funds applied toward the June Road. For additional information call 631- 18 proposal. This will allow the district to present our voters with a budget with 376-7000. The district’s website did not contain a 2.01% tax levy cap, which does not reany information on the newly formulated quire a supermajority to pass.” The district’s initial budget that voters budget, but it was noted that information defeated May 21, offered some savings would be coming soon. School Board President Lucy Campa- to the district to meet increasing costs sano declined an interview but a state- including a reduction of 16 full-time ment by Dr. Yiendhy Farrelly, superin- equivalent teaching positions and three administrative positions. Outside adtendent of schools stated: “After a long night evaluating the bud- ministrative supports were completely get and listening to members of our com- removed and the secondary department chair model munity, the was revamped district and “After a long night evaluating the budget and listo reduce the board of edu- tening to members of our community, the district administrative cation made and board of education made the difficult decisupport and the difficult de- sion to make additional cuts in order to put forth a increase teachcision to make budget for a revote on June 18, 2024, that does not ing sections. additional cuts pierce the cap." —Dr. Yiendhy Farrelly, superintendent Grant positions in order to put forth a budget for a revote on June 18, were maintained. The budget included all athletic and music programs and the 2024, that does not pierce the cap. Some of the latest changes include district’s ever-popular Blue and Gold eliminating the ninth-grade health pro- program. It was estimated that the additional angram and further reducing the K-8 intervention program. The district will also nual cost in taxes for a home assessed at apply an additional $1.895 million from $4,000 in the district would have been the fund balance to increase revenue and $1,429.60.
It's Back: Lindenhurst Farmer's Market, 2024 The Lindenhurst Farmer’s Market is back again. You can shop fresh produce and enjoy what local vendors have to of-
fer and live music almost every Saturday in the Village Square, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Nov. 2.
BUMC holding Bingo Brunch Sat., June 22
Babylon United Methodist Church will host a Drag Bingo Brunch on Sat., June 22 at 11 a.m., featuring Toni Homeperm. Tickets are $15 and include brunch, bingo cards, and prizes for everyone. Proceeds will be donated to the Trevor Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing suicide among LG-
BTQIA+ youth. Pay cash at the door or Venmo @Gregory-Cortelyou. The church is at 21James St., Babylonb. For more information, contact church@ babylonumc.org or call 631-661-5151.