Sayville board agrees to leave open seat vacant until May, cites cost of special election

The Sayville Union Free School District Board of Education agreed at its meeting to leave the open board seat created by the resignation of Dr. James Burch vacant until the district’s regular May election cycle.

Board members said counsel outlined three legal options — hold a special election, appoint someone to fill the seat until the regular election, or leave the seat vacant until May — and that the costs and timing led them to favor waiting for the regular cycle. A district official said a separate special election would cost “about 18 to $20,000.”

Board members who spoke said the district is strapped for funds and that the roughly one-off cost of a special election would divert money from instructional priorities. One member said the board generally reaches consensus and can operate with six members until the May election; another cautioned that the board would revisit the decision if conditions change.

The board did not record a formal roll-call vote during the discussion. Members said they have a consensus to keep the seat open through May and to revisit the matter if circumstances — for example, the number of active members available to attend meetings — change before then. The board chair said papers for the May election will be distributed in March.

Board members also discussed the petition circulating in the community calling for a special election. Members noted the petition had not been formally presented to the board and said turnout for a late special election is likely to be much lower than the regular election, which is another reason they favored waiting.

The decision to leave the seat open is procedural; no appointment was made and no special election was scheduled. The board said it will reexamine the issue if new information or changed circumstances require action before the May election.