Oceanside, Island Park school and library budgets pass

Oceanside and Island Park residents passed their school and library budgets on May 17.

In Oceanside, the budget passed with 1,783 votes in favor (64 percent) and 1,000 opposed (36 percent). The library budget passed with 1,707 “yes” votes (65 percent) to 918 “no’s” (35 percent).

Island Park had a similar victory. The district’s school budget passed 425 (62 percent) to 260 (38 percent). The Island Park library budget was similar, with 440 residents (66 percent) voting to pass it and 229 (34 percent) voting against.

“I was certainly pleased that [the budget] passed by almost 800 votes,” said Oceanside Superintendent Dr. Herb Brown. “I think the community recognized that we’re trying to keep taxes as low as possible, and at the same time provide a quality educational program for our kids.”

In addition to the budget, the three candidates for the Oceanside Board of Education were also voted back in. Donald Maresca received 1,943 votes, Mary Jane McGrath-Mulhern had 1,841 votes and Sandie Schoell garnered 1,750 votes. In Island Park, Nina Hargrove, the sole candidate, received 553 votes.

“I never take any budget vote for granted and I am extremely pleased that the budget passed,” Island Park Superintendent Dr. Rosmarie Bovino wrote in an email. “I think the community knows the Board of Ed and I recognize the financial hardships of all who struggle to keep their jobs as well as the challenges faced by our seniors who live on fixed incomes. I believe our residents trust me; they know that I am sympathetic to their situations. On the other hand, everyone in the community also knows I am equally committed to providing an excellent, well-rounded education for our students. This budget satisfies all — as best that any one budget can.”

“We couldn’t publicize something seven days before the budget vote that we didn’t do the rest of the year,” said Brown. “We couldn’t be proud of something that wasn’t taking place the other 11 months. So I think it’s really a reflection of what everyone in the district is doing all year.”