2015-16 Bellmore-Merrick school budgets pass

Voters overwhelmingly approved their 2015-16 school budgets throughout the Bellmores and Merricks on May 19 (see results below).

In addition, voters in the North Merrick Elementary School District gave their stamp of approval to a $14.7 million bond referendum to pay for repairs at all three district schools –– Camp Avenue, Fayette and Old Mill Road. The bond will fund new boilers, radiators, air-conditioners and masonry work. Board of Education trustees said they strove to keep the bond proposal at its lowest level while ensuring that the buildings were properly repaired.

In Merrick, incumbent trustees Dr. Pamela Banks and Dr. Nancy Kaplan, along with newcomer Linda Wilk, ran unopposed and were elected. In North Merrick, incumbents Neil Brown and Steve Enella also faced no opposition and were elected.

Districts' budget results

    • Bellmore: Approved, 583 “yes” votes (77.7 percent)

    • Merrick: Approved, 623 “yes” votes (74.7 percent)
to 211 “no” votes (25.3 percent)

    • North Bellmore: Approved, 1,214 “yes” votes (69 percent) to 543 “no” votes (31 percent)

    • North Merrick: Approved, 595 “yes” votes (72.8 percent) to 222 “no” votes (21.8 percent)

    • Central School District: Approved, 2,652 “yes” votes (69.5 percent) to 1,166 “no” votes (30.5 percent)