Voters approve Lynbrook's $92.9M school budget, elect two incumbents, one challenger to board

Voters in Lynbrook Public Schools approved officials' $92.9 million budget for the 2021-22 school year and elected two incumbents and a challenger to the Board of Education. 

The district's spending plan passed, 1,146 "yes" votes to 364 "nos." Additionally, incumbents Lesli Deninno (911 votes) and David Yaker (907) were re-elected to  the board, and joined by newcomer Sean Murray (692). Incumbent Robert Paskoff (612) was not re-elected, and challenger Nicole Aroksaar (667) also did not earn a seat. 

Voters also gave the OK for the district to use $600,000 of the Technology Replacement Fund for network infrastructure and the installation of new technology tools in the Kindergarten Center, and to use $605,000 in the Building Renovation, Improvement, Upgrade and Equipment Fund Reserve for infrastrucutre upgrades.

The budget aims primarily to bolster current programs, make improvements in school infrastructure, and continue staff development across the board. At the May 5 Board of Education meeting, Paul Lynch, assistant superintendent for finance, operations and information systems, presented a breakdown of the proposed budget, as adopted on March 10 and adjusted on April 20.

Although the administration initially prepared for a decrease in state aid, this year’s aid program exceeded their expectations. Through local taxes, a federal grant program and an increase in state Foundation Aid, the district was able to make bolder program adjustments in this year’s budget, while still maintaining their original priorities: an additional special education class at the elementary level, a book selection from diverse perspectives to offer student choice, and continued staff development for technology, special education and reading.

Overall, the three-part budget —which includes administrative, capital, and program costs — will see a 1.62 percent increase from the current spending plan. Seventy seven percent of the budget will go into programming.

Deninno and Yaker have served on the board for six years each, while Murray, a principal at West Hemptead Middle School, joins for the first time. Paskoff had served 15 years on the school board.

Julia Swerdin contrinubed to this story.