Long Island Voters Reject 5 School Budgets as 116 Win Approval

5 articles · Updated · Newsday · May 20

At least five Long Island school budgets failed Tuesday while 116 passed, with results in three districts still pending Wednesday morning.
Three of the defeats came in tax-cap override districts that needed 60% support: South Country lost 2,747-1,105, Islip fell 859-639, and Bayport-Blue Point failed despite a 679-568 majority.
Three Village and Locust Valley also lost simple-majority votes, while override proposals passed in Uniondale, Lynbrook, Greenport and Shelter Island, where last year’s rejected override won 68% support.
Districts whose budgets failed can seek a revote on June 16 or move directly to a contingency budget, which freezes the tax levy and can force deeper cuts.
South Country’s vote reflected the sharpest strain: its proposal carried a 13.45% levy hike amid a fiscal crisis, and residents cited mismanagement, possible program cuts and lost trust in leadership.

With state relief checks arriving, why did some voters approve school tax hikes while others rejected them, risking deep program cuts?

When a 60% supermajority is needed, how can districts build enough trust to pass budgets that exceed the state's tax cap?