Vote ‘yes’ on Lynbrook schools budget

Endorsing the proposed 2017-18 Lynbrook School District budget is an easy call.

If passed by voters, the spending plan would raise expenditures by about $1.62 million, from $80.86 million to $82.48 million — a 2 percent increase.

The district continues to thrive, with U.S. News & World Report ranking it No. 88 in the top 100 school districts in New York state in April. Its proposed budget includes many features to improve student learning, including the growth of the district’s One-to-World initiative, for which ninth- and 10th-graders would be given tablets in September that they would keep for the entire school year. The devices would help students individualize their learning experience, collaborate with peers and communicate with their teachers.

Among the other curriculum enhancements within the tentative budget are:

n The addition of a foreign language after-school program for third-graders.

n The addition of a business teacher at the high school.

n Additional high school chorus sections to support growing interest.

n The addition of college-level, computer-driven engineering courses at the high school.

n A new bus to help homeless students get to school.

In Lynbrook, voting will take place at North and South middle schools and Lynbrook High School, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For trustee, Bresnihan, Marcus

Both Lynbrook school board candidates are unopposed incumbents. Still, we encourage residents to show them that their hard work is noticed by voting for them. Alicemarie Bresnihan has served on the board for 42 years, and her desire to continue as a trustee shows that her commitment to the schools has not wavered over the years. Ellen Marcus, meanwhile, has been a trustee for nine years, and now serves as board vice president. Both candidates have devoted untold unpaid hours to ensuring that students get the most out of their education.