Approve East Rockaway school spending plan

The East Rockaway School District is proposing a $34.32 million budget for 2011-12, a 2.94 percent increase over the current spending plan. The tax levy would increase by 3.77 percent.

Even though it is the smallest school district in Nassau County, East Rockaway has a reputation for excellence, producing honor students and conference champion teams and boasting seventh- and eighth-grade students whose math scores on state tests surpass the regional average.

The district has tweaked every line on the budget to make it as cost-effective as possible while still maintaining all of the schools’ existing programs. The district has joined new consortiums to share costs and services with other districts, while other savings have come from the consolidation of administrative jobs and the retirement of five employees.

In addition to the budget, which is Proposition 1, two other propositions will appear on the ballot on Tuesday. Proposition 2 would authorize the use of $177,000 from the technology reserve for purchasing interactive whiteboards and for network and software upgrades at various grade levels. Proposition 3 would allocate $193,000 to improvements and repairs, including the boilers at the high school and curb and door replacements at the elementary schools. There is no tax increase associated with the propositions because the funds that would be used are already in the district’s reserves.

If the budget does not pass, curriculum, special programs, facilities and staffing could all be affected. We believe that district officials have assembled a tight, well-thought-out spending plan, and we urge residents to vote “yes” on it, and on the propositions, to ensure a well-rounded education for our children.

Schmidt and Schloth are unopposed

Although Board of Education Trustees Linda Schmidt and Neil Schloth have no opposition in Tuesday’s election, residents should show their support for them as each seeks a second term.