School Officials and Candidates React to School Vote Results

From Westhampton to Hampton Bays, all local school . The results, officials and school board candidates say, show that despite the economy, the community is behind their schools.

“Last night’s vote was a mandate to our district to continue providing great opportunities for kids to succeed,” said Lars Clemensen, superintendent of . “In an economy like this, a positive vote can be a tough personal decision to make, but Hampton Bays weighed that against providing opportunity for kids and said, ‘yes.’ I’m grateful to our community for their courage and commitment to the Hampton Bays Public Schools.”

Clemensen said the district will “continue to be hold in setting high standards for the kids.”

Hampton Bays residents supported the district’s $44 million budget in a 977 to 598 vote. They also elected to the board with 1,030 votes.

Capuano, who ran unopposed, said she was thrilled that so many voters pulled the lever to support her. 

“It’s very exciting. I am just really happy to be on the board and I really am thankful for everyone who came out in the weather to vote. Hopefully, I can do wonderful things,” she said.

Capuano, who sat on the district’s budget committee, also thanked voters for supporting the district's budget. 

“The staff and the community really has done good by supporting the budget.  We won’t disappoint them.”

, Richard Benson, superintendent of schools, said he was very happy with turnout — the district’s $7.5 million budget was approved in a 79 to 28 vote.

“We are pleased that the budget went through and that we had a good turn out. I look forward to having a good year,” said Benson.

, school board member in the District who was re-elected to her seat on Tuesday night with 416 votes, said she thought the turnout for her district’s vote was “pretty good,” considering the weather.

The district’s $22 million budget passed, in a 366 to 292 vote.

Tuzzolo thanked the community for its confidence and support and said, “We put together the best possible budget for them and for the children. I would like to publicly thank the community.”

Also re-elected in East Quogue was , school board president, who was not available as of press time.  He garnered 396 votes.

School Board member Kathy Tureski, said she was pleased that Tuzzolo and Cardaci were re-elected.  She said, "In East Quogue, we all bring something unique to the board and I feel our personalities work well together.  We offer the best mix to the children of East Quogue and strive to be responsible to our stakeholders by providing quality programs for the best possible cost. The children of East Quogue are our future leaders."

"We are very pleased with the budget results.  The East Quogue community's support continues to be outstanding," said Les Black, superintendent of the East Quogue School District.

, who lost his bid for a school board seat with 238 votes, said he was disappointed that he did not win a seat, but, “I plan to continue to do what I do and attend school board meetings. I believe I have a lot to offer.”

Also loosing a battle for a seat on a school board was , president of the Westhampton Beach School Board.  He was unseated by challenger. in a 345 to 303 vote.

Of the vote, Terchunian said, “It was a great ten years with terrific people. I am pleased and honored to have served. Best of luck to Mr. Kast.”

Kast, said he is very grateful and excited to win.

Westhampton Beach voters approved the district’s $50.4 million budget in a vote of 436 to 233.