Voters say ‘yes’ to East Rockaway school budget

The rain and drizzle didn’t dampen residents' enthusiasm as they voted with an overwhelming ’yes’ to approve the 35.6 million spending plan that was presented to voters on May 15 by the East Rockaway school board.

The budget passed with 719 votes in favor, and 427 against. Propositions 2 and 3 also were approved by the voters.

“Thank you for coming out to support public education,” said Superintendent Roseanne Melucci. “and for supporting our small, wonderful gem of a school.” She said that she knows people are struggling, and that it means so much that they showed their support to the district and the children.

District officials had to make some difficult and unpopular cuts to come to the figure that they did.

Newcomer John Giannotti, Jr. won 554 to 517 over incumbent Michaelene Abbott-Cooper. “I’m still here,” said Abbott-Cooper. “I will stay involved in the whole process.” Abbott-Cooper won her seat in 2009 with 110 write-in votes.

“I wasn’t that surprised,” said John Giannotti, Jr. about his win. “There are a lot of elementary school parents who were not represented on the board, and I have younger children.” He added that many parents were upset with the way that the Princeton Plan issue was presented to the public, but is ready to serve on the board.

“I’m looking forward to working with the other board members and the superintendent. It will be a good experience.”

Giannotti, 43, is married with two children and another expected in June. He has lived in the district for six years and works as an Assistant District Attorney in the King’s County District Attorney’s office.

Propositon 2 was approved 587-295; proposition 3, 568-300.

The proposed budget is 3.74 percent larger than the current spending plan. For an average home in East Rockaway, which has a market value of approximately

$350,000, the increase will mean about $74 more in property taxes.

To stay within the state-mandated allowable tax cap levy (2.26 percent for East Rockaway), the proposal has some drastic cuts, and includes salary freezes for teachers, administrators and custodians.