By MIKE CAPUTO
Despite a $1.75 billion, 8 percent increase in education aid across the state, both the Hewlett-Woodmere and Lawrence schools are among districts that were allotted the least funds on the county and state levels.
According to education department figures, the Hewlett-Woodmere district is expected to receive a total of $6,642,790 in aid, about a 3 percent increase from this year's budgeted amount. The Lawrence school district is set to attain $9,215,434 from the state, also about a 3 percent increase 2007-2008.
Some nearby districts garnered more significant increases from the state. Oceanside is expected to receive about 18 percent more school aid in next year's budget, while Lynbrook's increase is set at nearly 12 percent.
Figures were released to districts on April 9, when the state budget was enacted eight days after the deadline of
April 1.
As projected by school officials, the state education department's formulas used to determine school aid allotment have continued to work against districts like Hewlett-Woodmere and Lawrence, which are considered "high wealth."
"The state has consistently failed to responsibility to provide a reasonable minimum level of funding for all school districts," said Dr. Peter Weber, assistant superintendent for business in the Hewlett-Woodmere school district. "Education is state responsibility and it is not fair to expect suburban districts like us to pass all of that on to local tax payers particularly given all the money we send to Albany."
In Lawrence, Superintendent Dr. John Fitzsimons was pleased that despite former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's resignation, his district will gained $400,000 more than it received this school year. "The truth of the matter is given the changes in the governorship and the leadership in both the Assembly and Senate, we had no idea what to expect and anticipated, if anything, what Spitzer then recommended," Fitzsimons said.
In February, Spitzer's proposed executive budget left Long Island school districts out of the party; The former governor advocated increases in aid across the state, significantly in New York City, but not in Nassau or Suffolk counties.
Local representatives in the state Senate and Assembly have worked on gaining Long Island districts more funding. One of those elected officials, Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D-Long Beach), explained that local officials stepped up to convince the need of more school aid on Long Island.
"We did a good job working together on a bi-partisan basis," Weisenberg said. "We made [the state] aware of the economic conditions that exist - we have to get our school aid."
Although Lawrence was the beneficiary of only a slight increase in state aid, Fitzsimons revealed that district taxpayers could benefit. The proposed school budget's impact on the tax levy, which was originally projected to carry an increase of slightly under .5 percent, is now anticipated to decrease by about 1 percent.
"I can't imagine not anyone being happy as a taxpayer," Fitzsimons said.
The proposed 2008-2009 Lawrence school budget reflects an increase of just over 3 percent from this year.
Only hours after the state released its aid figures, the Hewlett-Woodmere school board adopted its proposed budget. The adopted budget reflected an increase of 5.8 percent, slightly less than a projected 5.93 percent increase announced at the district's public forum on March 27.
In spite of efforts to shave operating costs, District 14 taxpayers are responsible for about 93 percent of the budget. The allotted amount of state aid only factors in as about 7 percent of the budget.
"Nassau County and Hewlett-Woodmere in particular, get a disproportionately low amount of return from the sales tax and income tax that our residents pay to Albany," said Howard Weinick, president of the Hewlett-Woodmere school board. "That, coupled with annual additions of unfunded mandates, places an unfair burden on our taxpayers. Though every dollar helps and we are appreciative of the effort made by our legislators, the tiny increase in aid will have a miniscule effect on the tax rate." Echoing his sentiment at the recent public forum, Weinick encouraged residents to voice their displeasure by writing to government officials.
"As members of the Hewlett-Woodmere community, it is increasingly important for us to continue to share our message with the Governor and local legislators that this formula is unacceptable," Weinick said.
Comments about this story? Mcaputo@liherald.com or 516-569-4000 ext.
