Voting on Hewlett-Woodmere school, library budgets and trustees is May 11

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In addition to voting for five seats on the Hewlett-Woodmere School District board of education and one on the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library board, district residents can vote on May 11 for two propositions that include the budget that is a near 2 percent increase from the current fiscal plan.

Proposition one is the 2021-22 budget proposal of $129,358,256, a $2,475,624 and 1.95 increase from the current budget. The tax levy also increased by 1.95 percent. The proposal was approved by the board at a March 25 work meeting. Assistant Superintendent for Business Marie Donnelly said the proposed budget was reduced by $840,000 from the preliminary plan discussed at the Jan. 28 meeting. 

“We have a number of goals we seek to achieve when creating a budget,” she said. “This includes creating a balanced budget that maintains programs for students while also staying within the tax cap.” Donnelly added that the district is expected to receive $12,452,898 in state aid, a $47,265 increase from the current budget.

Board President Debra Sheinin described the proposal as being “well-balanced.” “Educating the future for the future is part of our Hewlett Woodmere schools’ mission statement which certainly drives us to a commitment to provide the most comprehensive school budget,” Sheinin said. “I believe that the 2021-2022 budget strikes the appropriate balance between maintaining our excellent high level of services and programs all the while being sensitive to our taxpayers.”

Proposition two is the proposed HWPL budget of $6,595,312. The proposed tax levy is $6,423,103. 

Voting on Tuesday, May 11 will be from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Woodmere Education Center, 1 Johnson Place, Woodmere. More information on the budget and election can be found at https://bit.ly/3cyJsKH.