Saturday, June 14, 2025
Voters in Oceanside and Island Park on Tuesday approved their districts’ 2025–26 budgets, library propositions and school board contests, preserving all programs and services while remaining within state tax‑cap limits.
In Oceanside, Proposition 1—the $186.7 million school budget—passed by a vote of 1,333 to 910, representing a 2.93 percent increase with a 1.1 percent rise in the property tax levy. Proposition 2—the library funding measure—passed by 1,292 to 941, securing the Library of Things, Seed & Cutting Library, Tonieboxes for young children and added security personnel, at an average cost of $36 per household annually. School Board incumbent President Michael D’Ambrosio was reelected unopposed with a total of 1,602 votes, and trustee Robert Transom was reelected unopposed with 1,418 votes.
In Island Park, Proposition 1—the $45 million school budget—increased spending by 1.51 percent but carried no change to the tax levy and passed by 298 to 180. District officials credited a $2.3 million surge in state aid—driven by an adjustment to the district’s combined wealth ratio following last year’s property‑assessment settlement—and strategic draws on reserves and fund balances for offsetting rising costs. Proposition 2, authorizing a five‑year lease‑purchase agreement for three 30‑passenger school vans, passed by 310 to 164. The $1.77 million library budget—passed by 351 to 108, funding a new Hoopla subscription, discounted attraction tickets and community programs from Pokémon Club to outdoor concerts. School Board President Jack Vobis ran unopposed and was elected to a full term with 320 votes. Yvonne Graci was elected as the new Island Park Library board trustee with 359 votes, running unopposed, succeeding Joe Pontecorvo.
