By Liz McBreen
In a close vote, Franklin Square's $24 million budget passed 723 to 611, although some residents were concerned about this year's 11.26% increase in the tax levy. "The increase is too high," said one senior citizen. "Retired people on a fixed income can't afford this. It is not that we begrudge the children anything, but if I have to cut back, the schools should cut back too." Although voters did not all agree with higher taxes, enough residents felt as Ellen and John Moyer did on election night, "we support the budget every year. The kids need what they need," said Ellen.
Roger Roess and Audrey Hulsart, who ran unopposed to retain their Franklin Square School Board seats, will both begin another three year term in June.
The Elmont budget, which came to a 7.5% increase over last year, and a tax levy increase of 11.2% passed by 377 votes. Superintendent Dr. Maria Palandra was happy about the outcome of last week's vote. "I am very fortunate to work in such a pro-education community." Palandra and members of the Elmont School Board plan to continue considering ways to run the district in the most efficient manner possible. "We want to keep enhancing both learning and teaching, and use our resources in the best way that we can," said Palandra. Elmont Library budget also passed by 610 votes.
Lorraine Ferrigno, who ran unopposed to complete Lillian Carillo's unexpired term, received 1,183 votes. She will begin a one year term in June. Incumbents Joy Madera and Kenneth Williams will both return to the board for three years. Madera is thankful for the community's support, and is looking forward to a continued opportunity to work with the children of Elmont.
During the next three years, she would like to extend the Saturday morning classes that the district offers and continue collaborating with local universities. Madera also wants to see the community and the PTAs come together, because "sometimes the schools and the rest of the community can be segmented. It would be nice to see the entire community come together." Madera would also like to look into ways to close the education gap between students of different classes and continue to make improvements in the district. "We have done well, but we can always do more," said Madera.
The budget for the Sewanhaka district also passed 951 to 681 votes, which means a 7.94% increase over last year and a tax levy increase of 9.46%
WH residents turned out in record numbers on Tuesday. Almost 2,600 voters passed through the Middle School auditorium, and the budget passed by over 500 votes. "It just confirms the community's support for the district as a learning organization," said Superintendent Carol Eisenberg. "It was quite a night, and we are greatful to the community, and we will continue our efforts to improve."
Incumbent candidates James Mariano and Carole Rilling will also continue on the board in West Hempstead. Davis Whelpley, winning a four way race for an open seat, will finish out Philip Frank's unexpired term. Rilling's main focus during the next four years will be to improve the scores of the English Language Arts exams. "I will do everything I can to improve the scores, with the help of the rest of the board," said Rilling. She would also like to see more WH students attend four year colleges. This has been a concern of the school board for some time and according to Rilling, "the numbers have been improving, but we still have a ways to go."
2003 School Election Results:
Elmont School District
Elmont Budget $50,523,292
*Pass 1,029
Fail 652
Elmont Candidates
One-year term
*Lorraine Ferrigno 1,183
Three-year term
*Joy Madera 1,114
Patrick Nicolosi 742
Three-year term
*Ken Williams 944
Sam Glaser 876
Library trustees
*Dominick Guerriero 1,054
*Michael Rothstein 970
Franklin Square School District
Franklin Square Budget $24,158,689
*Pass 723
Fail 611
Franklin Square Candidates
Both three-year terms
*Roger Roess 818
*Audrey Hulsart 812
Sewanhaka Central High School District
Sewanhaka Budget $109,478,175
*Pass 2,682
Fail 2,418
West Hempstead School District
West Hempstead Budget $39,983,338
*Pass 1,532
Fail 1,066
West Hempstead Candidates
Three-year term
*James Mariano 1,418
Three-year term
*Carole Rilling 1,243
Walter Ejnes 882
One-year term
*Davis Whelpley 846
Scott Snyder 689
Douglas Rodriguez 617
Jerrold Koznesoff 141
Library Trustee
*Ray Duran 1,346
West Hemsptead Library Budget
*Pass 1,719
Fail 869
West Hemsptead Library Bond Proposition
*Pass 1,649
Fail 905
Valley Stream Central High School and District 13
VS CHSD Budget $69,214,769
*Pass 2,625
Fail 1,30
Valley Stream 13 Budget $28,801,621
*Pass 1,344
Fail 817
Valley Stream 13 Candidates
*Jeanne Greco Jacobs 1,437
*William Striss 1,387
*Anthony Lombardo 1,264
Bunmi Ojugbele 452
*Marie Connelly 758
Debra Ann Evans 703
James DeFranco 547
