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Mostly Cloudy Support Hewlett-Woodmere budget; re-elect Critti and May
The proposed Hewlett-Woodmere School District budget of $126.88 million is nearly 3 percent larger than the current spending plan, but the increase is justified, because it will support the clubs and services students need.
Also on the ballot, the district is requesting to use $2 million of the Hewlett-Woodmere Long Range Capital Reserve Fund, established in 2017, to address a number of maintenance projects.
The budget and the maintenance projects are prime examples of responsible governance. We encourage residents to approve both propositions. Remember that voting this year is being done by mail-in ballots, which must be returned by June16 at 5 p.m.
Incumbent Board of Education Trustees Cheryl May and Paul Critti are running unopposed for the three-year terms. May, who has served on the board since 2011, is running for her fourth full term. Critti, who replaced Scott McInnes last year, is running for his first full term.
Both candidates have helped the district deal with the coronavirus crisis, and are keeping an open mind on whether school buildings will be able to reopen in the fall, fully aware of the necessity of contingency plans.
May has said that being a trustee in this difficult time motivates her. Critti has noted the possibility of a second wave of Covid-19, which must be kept in mind as the district moves forward. We urge voters to show them their support.
Vote ‘yes’ for library budget
The proposed Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library budget of $6.62 million is just $53,515 larger than the current spending plan. The projected cost of library materials, resources and services is $893,520, a $40,000 uptick.
Throughout the pandemic, the library has continues to offer remote programs and services, and its plan is a responsible use of taxpayers’ money.
Incumbent library trustee and Hewlett resident Leslie Eisenberg is running unopposed for a second five-year term on the board, and she, too, deserves voters’ approval.
