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Patchogue-Medford board ratifies May 19 election results, adopts 2026–27 budget and approves $5 million in capital projects
Summary
The Patchogue-Medford Board of Education ratified May 19 election results naming Kellyanne Jennings and Michelle LaMartino to three-year terms and swore in Laura Bonse; it also declared the 2026–27 budget adopted (1,292–603) and approved using up to $5,000,000 from the capital reserve for repairs and upgrades after voters passed Proposition 2 (1,399–487).
The Patchogue-Medford Board of Education on May 19 ratified its recent election results, swore in a newly elected trustee and declared the district's 2026–27 budget adopted, the clerk reported.
Clerk (speaker 2) read a resolution establishing that Kellyanne Jennings and Michelle LaMartino were the top two vote-getters and elected to three-year terms beginning July 1, 2026, and that Laura Bonse was the third top vote-getter with a term commencing May 19, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027. A board member moved to adopt the resolution, a second was recorded, and the board carried the motion.
Why it matters: Voter approval of the budget and Proposition 2 clears the way for the district to levy the necessary tax portion for next year's operations and to draw on the capital reserve to fund building repairs and upgrades.
The clerk announced that Proposition 1, the school district budget for fiscal year 2026–27, passed by a vote of 1,292 to 603. "Thank you for the community for passing the budget," Staff member (speaker 3) said, thanking administrators and the business office for their work.
Voters also approved Proposition 2, authorizing the board to expend funds from the capital reserve established on 05/17/2022 for specified capital projects. The clerk read the proposition as authorizing up to $5,000,000 to support parking lot and bathroom upgrades at Oregon Middle School, Saxton Middle School, Cainan Elementary School, River Elementary School, Tremont Elementary School, South Ocean Middle School and Eagle Elementary School and other projects listed in the 2022 building condition survey; the proposition passed by a vote of 1,399 to 487.
Clerk (speaker 2) then administered the oath of office to Laura Bonse. "It's been a wild 2 months," Bonse said after being sworn, and she thanked voters and supporters.
Board members offered brief remarks of congratulations and thanks. Committee member (speaker 4), who noted more than a decade of service, thanked teachers and administrators and said they would remain active in the community. Another board member observed that the board and district leadership face "lots of new change, new board, new superintendent," and expressed optimism for the coming year.
What happens next: With the budget certified as adopted and the capital reserve authorization approved by voters, the district may proceed with planning and contracting for the listed capital work; the board did not specify implementation timelines during the meeting. The board adjourned at 10:11 a.m.
