Voters in the Sachem School Central District rejected a budget that would have pierced the tax cap at 4.87%.

A total of 50.3% of voters approved the budget. The district needed 60% approval to pierce the tax cap.

The school board will have to adopt a new budget, which will be voted on by the public next month.

News 12's Jon Dowding was in Hicksville where the budget passed, with 724 in favor and 395 opposed. The budget includes a 2.4% tax levy increase from the 2023 to 2024 school year budget, which would bring in roughly $2.7 million to the district.

Parents' biggest concern over the last few months has been how the budget would impact roughly 80 teaching assistant jobs.

Jason Siegel, of Hicksville, said he voted for the budget to protect the teaching assistants.

"I think my son has a few in his classroom. I think that they’re great. We’ve met them. I think it’s definitely helpful to have,” he said.

The board previously said one teaching job and one administrative job will be eliminated to balance the budget.

Candidates also won seats on the Board of Education. Patricia Bulerin won for Phil Hecklers’ seat and Erin Guida won for Brenda Judson’s Seat.

News 12's Thema Ponton was in Riverhead, where the budget passed with 1224 in favor and 745 opposed. The proposition to allow a high school senior to be a non-voting member of the Board of Education has also passed, the district says.

A full list of results can be found here.