Board of Finance approves $39.56 million education budget over two dissenting votes

The East Hampton Board of Finance on July 20 approved a $39,559,937 FY2027 education budget after a 5-2 vote. James Radavich moved the budget and the motion passed with Ted Turner and David Caterisano voting no.

Public commenters pressed the Board about program cuts tied to the budget process. "I am very upset that Smart Start has been cancelled and families are left scrambling," said Haley Guite, a resident, reflecting frustration expressed by multiple speakers. Dr. Timothy Van Tasel, the superintendent, was invited to comment during the discussion; the Board also discussed HVAC repairs, sidewalk snow removal at schools, digital subscriptions, afterschool activities and middle-school athletics.

Chairman Anthony Spagnoletti said a detailed Board of Education budget is available online and framed the Board's recommendation in the context of a prior referendum. Several residents asked for clearer line-item breakdowns; Sal Nucifora urged that when cuts are proposed the Board should show which programs are affected and how much of a stated cut (for example, a $600,000 reduction) maps to named services.

The Education budget vote was taken after discussion but without an amendment recorded in the minutes. The meeting record shows the motion passed 5-2 and does not indicate additional conditions or implementation tasks attached to the approval. The Board's action advances the town's formal recommendation for the FY2027 Education appropriation; procedural next steps are governed by the town's referendum and budget adoption process.