Vote ‘yes’ on Oceanside school budget

Although the Oceanside School District takes full advantage of its allowable tax levy increase of 2.15 percent, it has shown a willingness to save where it can while providing ever-expanding academic programs.

Most notably, the district is putting money aside for repurposing a space in the high school for its thespian troupe. It is also purchasing a handful of new school vehicles, and hiring a new business education instructor for its virtual enterprise program. And the district is working on shoring up its financial status so that it can replenish its depleted reserves.

The increases in next year’s proposed $150 million budget — about $2.9 million, or 1.97 percent more than the current spending plan — are reasonable, and provide students with tangible benefits. We encourage voters to approve it on Tuesday.

For trustee, Maresca,

McGrath-Mulhern, Schoell

Though three Board of Education seats are open this year, the district’s incumbent trustees are running unopposed, which means experienced voices will continue to represent Oceanside’s schools.

Donald Maresca has been a member of the board since 2002, and in his 33-year career in the district before that, he served as principal of Schools No. 1 and 2, associate principal of Oceanside High School and assistant principal at School No. 8.

Mary Jane McGrath-Mulhern has been a trustee since 2008. An attorney, she has lived in Oceanside for more than 20 years, and as a mother of two children who currently attend school in the district, we believe she will continue being an effective advocate for students.

Finally, Sandie Schoell, who has served as both president and vice president of the Board of Education since becoming a trustee in 2005, is well-known in the Oceanside community, and for good reason. Both of her sons were Oceanside High School valedictorians, and as a former PTA council president who still works with the steering committee for the high school’s post-prom party, Dawn Delirium, she is attuned to parent concerns.

All three trustees are active in Ocean- side Community Service and other activities outside the school district, which we feel helps them better represent the students inside it. Residents should support them with their votes next week.

Support the Oceanside Library

The Oceanside Library continues to offer excellent programming and services while dealing with state aid that has flat-lined at $10,000 per year. Its $4.5 million budget deserves an unequivocal public endorsement.

The election will be held at Schools No. 5, 6, 7 and 8 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.