On Monday, Assemblymember Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I-Sag Harbor) announced the inclusion of language in the Assembly One House budget that would permit the Eastport-South Manor Central School District to receive payments for state owned lands within the district. Prior to the merger of the Eastport Union Free School District (UFSD) and the South Manor UFSD in 2000, Eastport Union Free School District covered the core preservation area of the state-owned Central Pine Barrens, which allowed the district to accept certain funding. However, these payments ceased after the merger resulting in the need for state action. Due to Assemblymember Thiele’s advocacy, these measures were included in the Assembly One House budget bill. Should it also be included in the final budget, Eastport-South Manor will restore a vital stream of additional revenue that will directly support the educational needs of students within the district.

“I applaud the inclusion of this rightful amendment to the real property tax law which will allow Eastport-South Manor Central School District to restore approximately $60,000 per year in funding,” said Assemblymember Thiele. “I have every confidence that this measure, once finalized, will greatly help the district return to a stronger financial footing.”