LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — There were plenty of empty seats at the May 7 public hearing on Sullivan West Central School District’s 2015-2016 proposed budget. Taxpayers stayed home in droves, apparently uninterested in the largest budget in district history. At $336,136,227, the proposed budget is $1,196,492 larger than the current school year budget and represents a $156,395 (0.90%) tax levy increase.

On May 19, from 12 noon to 9 p.m., voters registered in one of the three election districts that compose the school district will have an opportunity to approve or reject the proposed budget and to elect board members to three-year terms for the seats now occupied by incumbents Lucas Arzilli, Rachel Brey and Kevin P. Murphy.

Polling places are as follows:

Election District #1: Delaware Youth Center (for those who reside within the boundaries of the former Delaware Valley Central School District)

Election District #2: Jeffersonville School Building (for those who reside within the boundaries of the former Jeffersonville-Youngsville Central School District)

Election District #3: Tusten-Cochecton Library (for those who reside within the boundaries of the former Narrowsburg Central School District)

Registered voters unable to get to the polls on May 19 can pick up an absentee ballot application form from the district clerk’s office no later than May 18. All absentee ballots must be submitted to the district clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on May 19. To request an application, call district clerk Margaret L. Luty at 845/482-4610, ext. 3000.