Incumbent School Board Trustee Barbara Heine was unseated by newcomer and teacher-backed candidate Robert Ulrich in the trustee race May 20. Voters kept incumbent Sharon Bieselin following a long and controversial campaign that involved, according to Bieselin, the circulation of rumors and innuendo against her. In an unusual move, the candidate made a public denouncement of the rumors at a school board meeting the week before the vote, raising many eyebrows. She faced opposition from John Gedney.

West Islip residents passed the school budget that calls for a 1.89 percent increase in taxes, 2,376 votes to 936.

Heine, who had been running for her second term, lost 1,182 to 1,972 to newcomer Ulrich.

"I thank the voters for putting their trust in me and I look forward to working with the district," said Ulrich, a father of four who attributed his win to his "solid financial background and positive campaign."

His background was indeed important to at least one voter we spoke to.

"I am voting for Ulrich because I think he may be able to make a change," said current college graduate Jason B., who did not want his last name used. "We are paying way too much for taxes and spending."

During his campaign, Ulrich blamed Heine for not working together with the other board members. Heine maintained that she wanted to make things better in the district, and more transparent. She attributed her loss, however, not to this, but to the low voter turnout.

"I am disappointed that I have spent so many hours committed to the board and because the tax increase wasn't so big, voters couldn't give one hour of their time (to get out and vote)," said Heine. Of approximately 18,000 registered voters, a little more than 3,000 turned up at the polls.

When asked if she'd run again, Heine said no.

"This is not the right kind of environment for me; people want to complain about taxes, but do nothing about it," she said.

Bieselin, who was not available for comment, defeated Gedney, 1,798 to 1,296. "Sharon's community support and name recognition won her reelection," he said after the election.

As the outcome showed, many voters believe the budget was reasonable.

"I won't say who I voted for, but I will say that I voted yes for the budget and I hope others do too," said Debbie Conran, a 9-year resident and mother of two. "It's really just about the or at least it shouldbe."