The East Quogue School District, the only local district to pierce the state's two percent tax cap, needs 60 percent of voters to vote yes, but on Tuesday afternoon, it remained unclear if that would happen.
As of 1:45 p.m., some 279 residents cast ballots with at least four of those votes cast against the budget.
Those taxpayers, who wished not to be named, told Patch that a 4.65 percent tax levy is just too much to ask for.
"When we get a social security increase, then we will consider the budget," said one woman speaking for herself and two others.
Another 30-year resident of the district, called the budget, "ridiculous," and blamed unions for high costs.
A mom of two had another opinion. She said she was supporting the budget for her kids and all the others in the district.
She said, "We have to do what is right for the kids. We need our teachers to teach. This age is so important it's when our kids absorb so much."
Polling officials said the number of voters as of 1:45 p.m was slightly higher than in 2011 where voters approved the budget 432 to 155.
Officials expect a rush to the polls around 4 or 5 p.m. Polls will close at 9:00 p.m.
Be sure to check back at Patch for budget results.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
