12 Biggest Local School Stories in 2012

With another budget vote which included a new twist in the form of a tax cap, changes in administrators and a school tragedy that shook all districts accross the country, there were plenty of important local school stories in 2012.

Miller Place

Proposed Miller Place Budget Includes 22.5 Teacher Layoffs

Early in the budget season, the Miller Place Superintendent's proposed budget for the 2012-13 school year did not exceed the tax cap, but included over 24 staff reductions and many academic, athletic and extracurricular cuts.

When the Miller Place Board of Education adopted its budget in March, it was announced that some clubs and programs that were on the chopping block would be restored, but it wasn't known how many. At an April meeting, Superintentent Susan Hodun presented the changes to the budget and announced that all co-curriculars and athletics that were in danger have been restored thanks to concessions and other factors.

Voters Pass $65 Million Budget for Miller Place Schools

Residents came out to the polls in May and passed a $64,954,995 Miller Place School District budget for the 2012-13 school year by a vote of 1,220 to 538.

Miller Place Deputy Super Marianne Higuera to Become Superintendent

Miller Place Deputy Superintendent Marianne Higuera became permanent Superintendent of Schools effective July 1, the school district announced Monday.

Rocky Point

Rocky Point Residents Approve $71.6 Million Budget

A 2012-'13 budget of $71,574,012 for the Rocky Point School District was passed in May by a vote of 1,434-876, or 62 percent.

Rocky Point Voters Pass Capital Reserve Projects

Voters in November passed a referendum for three Capital Reserve Projects, including the installation of a new turf field, by a vote of 305-199.

Mt. Sinai

A budget of $55,364,115 for the Mt. Sinai School District was rejected by voters by a vote of 1263-1147. The budget, which pierced the tax levy cap with a 4.76 percent increase, fell short of a 60 percent supermajority with 52.4 percent yes votes.

Mount Sinai's Revised School Budget Passes

The Mt. Sinai school district's revised 2012-13 budget has passed, keeping the district off an austerity budget for the upcoming school year that would have brought severe cuts to the schools.

Shoreham-Wading River

Adopted Shoreham-Wading River Budget Stays Under Tax Cap

The Shoreham-Wading River School District in April unanimously adopted a budget of $62,657,081 with a tax levy increase of 1.75 percent.

Shoreham-Wading River's $63 Million District Budget Passes

Shoreham-Wading River's proposed 2012-'13 budget of $62.7 million passed by a vote of 1,316-658 in May.

All Districts

After local districts lost a number of school days due to Superstorm Sandy, some were still mulling options while others announced calendar adjustments.

Local Superintendents Respond to Sandy Hook Tragedy

The unspeakable tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. tugged at the heartstrings of everyone, with many asking what was being done to prevent this from happening again somewhere else. Local districts each released responses to the community.