Endorsement

Support the school budgets and re-elect the incumbents in Valley Stream

Posted

District 13

The adopted $48,246,922 budget preserves all of the district’s programs and provides for the addition of a professional development staff member, a math specialist and two teachers in reserve. The tax levy increase is reasonable. We urge voters to approve the budget.
Board of Education President Toni Pomerantz and newcomer Milagros Vicente are unopposed, but they deserve mention for their consistent leadership in the district, and they deserve voters’ support.

District 24

The district adopted a $27,774,154 budget that preserves all programs and staff. The tax levy increase is minimal and responsible. All of the proposed features are sound fiscal decisions and we encourage residents to support them.

There are six candidates running for three open seats. Challengers Alexandra Browne-Martin, Tom Chen and Kim Wheeler are involved in their school communities and are qualified for the seats they seek. On the other hand, incumbents Tony Iadevaio, John Maier and Lawrence Trogel have provided meritorious service to the district and offer a wealth of experience. As District 24 looks to address urgent capacity concerns and maintain its high standard of education, their knowledge will be valuable. For these reasons, we endorse their re-election.

District 30

The adopted $34,416,060 budget includes strong math and literacy initiatives in all grades, the expansion of enrichment opportunities like Quest, 21st Century Learning Skills and after-school extracurricular clubs, and the integration of technology into instructional programs, including 200 new Chromebook laptops and the Google Apps for Education collaborative software suite. The budget also includes a coveted tax levy decrease. That’s a great deal for voters.

Incumbent Ingrid Wyllie-Dacon is unopposed, while Hendrick Colbert is challenging incumbent Kenneth Cummings. Colbert is a highly qualified candidate and a model community member. We thank him for his candidacy, but Cummings’s record after 16 years on the Board of Education merit another term, as he brings valuable experience and his commitment to service is proven.

Valley Stream Central High School District

The district’s $111,211,025 budget contains a nominal tax levy increase without cutting any programs and maintaining class sizes. That’s a sound balance, and we urge voters to approve it. They will also decide whether to approve the spending of $2,050,000 from the reserve fund for several important capital projects, and whether to create a new capital reserves fund for future capital improvements. These measures are in the best interests of the district and its students, and they have our endorsement.