- The East Hampton Star
- Posts
- 4-26 (1)
4-26 (1)
Star Kids:
Carissa Katz & Matthew Charron
May 16, 2025
Your Guide to Family Fun and Important Information
After a few years of inflationary pressures that had some school districts here piercing the state-mandated cap on tax levy increases, this year the easternmost districts on the South Fork are all proposing budgets for the 2025-26 school year that stay at or below the cap and will require only a simple majority to pass when voters go to the polls on Tuesday.
By Denis Hartnett
As the district works to put a tumultous period behind it, two incumbents on the board — Wayne Gauger and Kristen Peterson — are seeking re-election, with a third — Joseph Karpinski —- a parent of three children at the school and a vocal critic of the board and certain administrators, also vying for one of two seats.
By Christopher Walsh
 | In the Springs School District three people are running for two seats. The incumbents Erik Fredrickson and Emma Field are seeking second terms, while Gerard Picco is running for his first. By Denis Hartnett |
 | Only one name, Leigh-Ann Hess, will appear on the ballot to replace Diane Hausman on the Montauk School Board this year, but a late challenger, Tara Coleman, has mounted a write-in campaign. By Denis Hartnett |
 | After two challenging years coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, which the Wainscott School Board president described as “probably the darkest moment in the history of the district,” the school has “met the challenge” from both a financial and program perspective, David Eagan told the hamlet’s citizens advisory committee. By Christopher Walsh |
No sooner had Trevor Meehan pitched the first no-hitter here in 30 years than he turned around a week later and pitched another one.
By Jack Graves
 | New York State will require “bell-to-bell” smartphone restriction in all public and charter kindergarten-through-12th-grade schools starting in the 2025-26 school year, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office announced last week. By Denis Hartnett |
 | “My philosophy is to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem, so if you see something wrong step up to try to fix it,” Diane Hausman said as she reflected on her upcoming retirement from the Montauk School Board. By Denis Hartnett |
 | I love getting a good book recommendation from friends and hearing what resonated deeply for them about a book. Now I’m passing their recommendation on to any bookworms reading the column so we can all be connected by these cherished books By Rafaela DeMartis |
 | Springs School stepped up its appearance by placing new signs at the school’s entrance on Old Stone Highway. By the Journalism Club |
In Case You Missed It