Voters approve Malverne, West Hempstead budgets

Despite rainy weather, a number of taxpayers in Malverne, Lakeview and West Hempstead headed to the polls last week to cast their votes for school budgets and board trustee candidates.

West Hempstead residents voted in favor of the district’s $55.2 million 2012-13 school budget by a wide margin — 1,027 ‘yes’ votes to 650 ‘no’ votes — on May 15.

The plan is an increase of more than $700,000, or 1.46 percent, over the current budget. The tax levy increase is 2.58 percent, which falls below the cap implemented by New York state.

“We are very, very happy,” said Deputy Superintendent Richard Cunningham, who noted that overall, 1,677 residents turned out to vote, and 61.2 percent of voters said ‘yes’ to the spending plan.

“The past three years, the district has made a lot of cuts in programs, staff,” he explained. “People were relieved that more things were not being cut. It’s a responsible plan. Generally, our budget approval rate is not as high as this — the community spoke loudly.”

Board of Education incumbents Carole Rilling and James Mariano were re-elected to seventh terms on the board. Both secured three-year terms. Rilling defeated challenger Perry Fogg, 911 votes to 655 votes, and Mariano defeated opponent William Signorile, 990 votes to 519 votes.

For the third seat on the board, which was occupied by Vincent Trocchia, who did not run for the seat, Karen Brohm beat out Dennis Walsh, 1,110 votes to 468 votes. The term will be for one year.

After the results were announced at the West Hempstead Middle School gymnasium, Brohm was immediately sworn in by District Clerk Kathryn Girolamo. “This was definitely a remarkable experience,” Brohm told the Herald. “The support has been overwhelming. I felt confident that I had the support to win. Now, I’m ready for what comes next.”

Meanwhile, by a count of 741 to 489, Malverne school district residents approved the proposed $48.6 million 2012-13 school budget — an increase of nearly $1.09 million, or 2.29 percent, over the current spending plan. The tax levy is $38.6 million, an increase of just under $919,000, or 2.44 percent, which falls below the district’s cap.

In addition, school district residents supported Proposition 2 — a capital project for roof reconstruction at Malverne High School’s gymnasium. The proposition passed with 785 ‘yes’ votes, which outweighed the 363 ‘no’ votes. The district will now be able to use up to $312,000 in its capital reserve fund to complete the work.

“We were happy, very ecstatic, that voters came out,” said Business Administrator Thomas McDaid. In total, he said, 1,434 voters turned out, and 60.24 percent of voters said ‘yes’ to the budget.

“Since 2000, this is only the third time we’ve hit 60 percent,” McDaid said. Of Proposition 2, he said, “It was a landslide,” he said, noting that 68 percent of voters supported the proposition. “The taxpayers understood the necessity of the job that needed to be done for the roof.”

Candidates Michael Taylor and Josephine Bottitta were elected to the Board of Education. Taylor defeated Kathleen Nolan-Kasal, 717 votes to 524 votes. Taylor will replace First Vice President Karen Aker, who will retire on June 30, for a four-year term.

Taylor, who described his campaign experience as tiring, though rewarding, said he wants to focus on creating better avenues of communication between the board and the community, and to raise the bar for students in the district.

“We’re also going to assess,” he said, referring to district policies and future budgets. “I want to see what’s going on, allocation wise, with funds. I believe the board will be able to produce in a manner that the community will be happy with. At the same time, people have to give me and Josephine an opportunity to put our stamp on the board. We’re going to work hard.”

Bottitta won the election for the seat of Dr. Patrick Coonan, who resigned from the board last month. She garnered 802 votes, beating out challengers Sherwyn Besson, who gathered 239 votes, and Joann Krudis, who earned 329 votes. Bottitta will serve the remaining three years of Coonan’s term.

“I was flattered to get so many votes,” she said. “I’m grateful. It’s a message that people feel I’m capable.”

Bottitta was sworn in at Howard T. Herber Middle School — where election results were announced — by District Clerk Lisa Ridley. Bottitta said that moving forward, the goal is to develop a rapport with board members and the administration, and to get to work.

“There was such a strong community interest in this election,” she explained. “I believe we can use that to catapult the community in getting more involved,” she said, noting that she will work to address the “disconnect” between school officials and the community.

“You sit, you listen, you learn,” Bottitta added. “It’s not about campaigning anymore. It’s about what needs to be done.”