After it failed to garner support for a cap-busting $23 million school budget Tuesday night, East Quogue School District officials spent the majority of Wednesday addressing questions from concerned parents and working on a new budget plan.
"Obviously we are disappointed in the result, said Robert Long, principal. "We made it clear to the community that programs and staffing would be at risk with a failed budget."
Since East Quogue breached the state's tax cap, the district needed to obtain 60 percent of the vote - they were 7 votes shy of that goal with 494 taxpayers voting in support of the budget and 340 against it.
Now the district must cut 587,000 from the budget by June 18 for another vote.
On the chopping block, Long said is the possible cut of two kindergarden teachers, as well as the district's music program.
Full-day kindergarden may also go to half day.
Just how the district will go about deciding what cuts will be made will be decided over the coming days, said Long.
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