Valley Stream school budgets approved

District 13 school officials were breathing a sigh of relief on Tuesday night, as 62 percent of voters said “yes” to the proposed 2012-13 spending plan.

Because of a bus proposition on the ballot, which would have pushed the tax levy increase over the allowable limit, the budget needed a 60 percent approval rate to pass. That proposition, which would have provided transportation to all students living at least a half-mile from their school, was defeated by a 2-to-1 margin.

Budgets in the other three Valley Stream school districts passed by comfortable margins.

In District 24, nearly twice as many people voted in favor the proposed $27.7 million spending plan, which is expected to raise taxes about $20 to $25 for the average homeowner next year. The final total was 506-255.

Superintendent Dr. Edward Fale said the district can now go forward with its plans to add a full-time curriculum director and part-time art teacher next year. “We are appreciative to the members of our community for coming out to vote and supporting high quality education,” Fale said.

District 30’s passed with 350 voters in favor and 228 opposed. A pair of propositions to establish a capital reserve fund and spend money from an existing reserve account were also approved.

“We’re very excited about the community’s support,” said Superintendent Dr. Elaine Kanas, “and very happy that the budget passed so we can continue to provide out programs to the students.”

The Central High School District’s proposed $103.2 million spending plan also got the OK with 1,921 voters saying “yes” and 1,194 saying “no.”

On Election Night, nowhere was the pressure greater than in District 13, where a simple majority of voters saying “yes” was not going to be good enough. Board of Education President Frank Chiachiere said he was sweating it out until the end, but it was worth the wait. The budget passed 1,230 to 761.

“We’re vary happy, we’re very pleased and we’re very, very grateful most of all,” he said. We’re going to move forward with the will of the people.”

State Education Department officials said that because the budget and bus proposition together exceeded the tax cap, the budget needed 60 percent to pass.