Vote ‘yes’ on Hewlett-Woodmere budget

Hewlett-Woodmere’s $109.6 million proposed budget, which includes a 3.45 tax levy increase — the state’s cap for the district — is 3.6 percent larger than the current spending plan, and maintains two programs that community members were adamant about keeping: the eighth-grade Discovery lunchtime lab program and the highly valued Community Education courses.
Dr. Peter Weber, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, is doing a solid job of guiding it through the current economic turmoil, using reserves wisely and directing money where needed to preserve educational services. And the anticipated $717,981 increase in state aid will reduce the need for those reserves.
We encourage voters to approve the budget on Tuesday.

For school board: Kislik and Greebel

With two open seats on the Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education and three candidates in the running, incumbent Harold Kislik’s experience is essential, especially with President Stephanie Gould stepping down after 18 years on the board. Kislik, who sits on the boards of two other community organizations, brings an understanding of how boards function. He also brings a unique perspective as a Hewlett High School graduate who has sent his children through the district.
Mitchell Greebel, the current co-president of the Central Council PTA, has been involved in the district since he moved here in 1993. He is a parent-advocate for special education and serves on the board of a neighborhood religious organization. His passion for quality education is contagious, and he would be an excellent asset to the board.
Though Fred Usherson, an educator with the New York City Department of Education, is fervent about reducing costs, incorporating technology in the classroom and offering students vocational and life-skills opportunities, he does not appear to have enough of a presence in the district to fully grasp its needs. We believe Kislik and Greebel are the two best candidates.