Voters approve East Rockaway School District's $42.6M budget, elect McNally, Motherway to school board

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When polls closed in East Rockaway on Tuesday night, voters approved the $42.6 million school budget for 2022-23 and voted incumbent Peter McNally and newcomer Michael Motherway to the school board over challenger Maureen Doyle.

The spending plan is roughly $869,000 more than the 2021-22 budget. The plan will see a 0.93 percent increase to the tax levy — the amount that districts can raise revenue through property taxes — which is below the allowable tax cap.

Voters approved the budget, 480 votes to 212.

The spending plan includes continued district support for additional seats in the universal pre-k program; a new health cirriculum for middle and high schoolers; replacement of five playgrounds and surfaces; continuation of the 1:1 tablet initiative for third- through 12th-graders; continued support for the high school summer school program and the Northwell Health School mental health partnership; an addition of the Nassau Community College Concurrent Enrollment Program; a literacy coach for the elementary level; a new Rock Orchestra club; additional athletic programs, including winter track at middle school grade levels and increased intramurals; and the addition of an assistant coach for varsity winter track.

McNally, a technology teacher in the Lynbrook School District, will serve on the board for a second time after first being elected in 2019. He serves as its current president. Motherway, a custodian in the Lynbrook district, joins for the first time. Doyle, a retired mechanical engineer and project manager, was unsuccessful in her bid for school board.

McNally earned 461 votes, while Motherway netted 404 and Doyle garnered 320.

Voters also approved two of the three propositions. Those that were approved were a capital reserve expenditure and the creation of a new capital reserves fund. A proposition to expand the mileage required for transportation to district schools was declined.