State aid boost for Five Towns school districts

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The Hewlett-Woodmere and Lawrence school districts will receive an increase in aid for next school year following the state budget’s passage on April 9.

Hewlett-Woodmere will get a $695,263 bump, or 8.56 percent, from the current figure of $8.12 million in state aid to $8.81 million. Lawrence will realize a small increase of $177,574, or 1.56 percent, to $11.59 million from this year’s $11.41 million.

Lawrence Superintendent Gary Schall credited State Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) and Assemblywoman Melissa Miller (R-Atlantic Beach), who represent the Five Towns in the State Legislature, for obtaining the added money.

“[They both] continue to prove themselves to be great supporters of our school community with a deep understanding of our needs,” Schall said. “In a time of scarce resources throughout the state, this significant increase in state aid for two years in a row demonstrates our [representatives’] commitment to our children.”

Kaminsky said that providing a first-rate education for students in all the school districts in his senatorial district is a top priority. “I am proud to have helped secure more funding for Five Towns schools so that our students can have the best learning opportunities available,” he said.” “The more money we secure from Albany, the less Long Island taxpayers are called on to shoulder the financial burden.”

Providing more opportunities for students to succeed is why a financial investment in education is needed, Miller said. “[This] demonstrates my strong commitment to our students, parents and teachers throughout the 20th Assembly district,” she said. “Specifically, the funding secured for Lawrence and Hewlett-Woodmere schools is the result of the strong advocacy of superintendents Gary Schall and Ralph Marino, respectively, and I look forward to our continuing relationship to ensure teachers and students both have the resources they need to succeed.”