Franklin Square passes budget by 361-vote margin

The Franklin Square Union Free School District's 2011-12 budget passed today, with 1,134 "yes" votes and 773 "no" votes from voters. 1,907 voters came to the polls today, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., to have their voices heard regarding Franklin Square's budget.

Patrick Manley, Franklin Square's superintendent, said the results were very typical; each year, the district sees about 1,100 votes in support of the budget, and about 800 against it. Last year, Manley said the district's budget passed by a smaller margin — about 300. Last year, the district received 1574 "yes" votes and 1,003 "no" votes for its 2010-11 budget, but Manley said more people came out to vote last year because the Board of Education had a contested race.

"It's been a long ride, but I've got some good plans in place," Manley said about the 2011-12 school year. "We have a good financial plan in place ... and we will continue to provide the best education possible at the lowest price possible. We are committed to providing our children with the best education available while minimizing tax increases."

Franklin Square's 2011-12 budget is nearly $33.93 million, an increase of more than $955,000. Manley said that almost $702,000 of the budget increase is attributable to state-mandated retirement costs. The Franklin Square Union Free School District, which ranks next-to-last in Nassau County in per-pupil spending — less than $15,000 last year — is comprised of the Polk Street, Washington Street and John Street schools.

Jean Fichtl, who ran uncontested for Franklin Square's Board of Education, received 1170 votes.

Budgets passed in 119 Long Island districts on Tuesday night; 95 percent of Long Island's district's passed their budgets. Rejected budgets include the Locust Valley, Oyster Bay, Seaford, Westbury Fishers Island districts.