By John C. O'Connell and Nicole Falco
School taxes on the average home in District 13 will rise approximately $200 to fund its elementary schools and $637 for the district's share of spending on education in the high schools. It was that significant increase that made some school officials and concerned parents think the high school budget might be defeated, at least in District 13.
Districts 24 and 30 also approved the high school and elementary school budgets. There were 1,049 votes cast in District 24, with 67.4 percent in favor of the high school budget and 69.1 percent in favor of the $18.5 million elementary budget. District 30 residents cast 1,030 votes, with 73.5 percent in favor of the high school budget and 74.2 percent in favor of the nearly $21 million elementary district budget.
Combined elementary and high school district school taxes on the average home will rise approximately $160 in District 24 and approximately $40 in District 30.
"It is very heartening to know that we made our best effort to inform the community about the Nassau County assessments and what was and was not within our control," said Al Chase, the high school district's assistant superintendent for finance and operations. "The voters responded in the name of good education in Valley Stream."
"Once again, Valley Stream's voters have demonstrated their unwavering support for our children's future," said the high school district superintendent, Dr. Ronald Valenti. "In the face of harsh economic realities, our community has again said yes to quality education and solid academic progress. Our thanks to all who worked hard to ensure a successful vote and to Senator Skelos and Assemblymen Alfano and Barra for restoring state aid to our schools."
Ballots for boards
In District 13's elections to fill four Board of Education trustee positions, Dr. Marie Connelly and Anthony Lombardo won election in the two contested elections, and unchallenged candidates William Stris (1,387 votes) and Jeanne Greco Jacobs (1,437 votes) each won.
Connelly received 758 votes, or 38 percent of the vote. Also running for that seat were Debra Ann Evans, who received 35 percent of the vote, and James DeFranco, who received 27 percent.
Incumbent Bunmi Ojugbele was defeated by Anthony Lombardo, an employee and coach at Central High School. Lombardo received 1,264 votes, or 74 percent, and Ojugbele received 26 percent.
"I'm elated with the results tonight," Connelly said after she learned she'd won. Connelly served on the District 13 board before from 1991 to 1995. "It's good to be back," she said.
Connelly said she was "thrilled" by the results of the budget vote. "This has been a statement by the community that it believes in education," she said. "Valley Stream has always believed in education, and this is a nice affirmation."
Harris Dinkoff, who is retiring from board service after decades of active involvement in Valley Stream's educational life, said he was grateful to the community, "which has always been very supportive."
Dinkoff also thanked Evans and DeFranco "for taking part in this process." He also thanked Ojugbele. "It was a pleasure to serve with you on the board," Dinkoff told Ojugbele. "Don't give up."
In other uncontested elections, Joseph Conrad won in District 24, garnering 758 votes, and William Gauger won in District 30 with 794 votes.
Linda Saporito, a 15-year District 24 resident, has already seen her children graduate from district schools, but as a resident, she still has a vested interest in the community's schools.
After voting at the William L. Buck School, Saporito said of the budget, "I think it was fair. I think [the district] tries to keep [the budget] pretty low each year, and I think it was pretty fair this year."
Like Saporito, Jeanette Paolillo, a 30-year resident of District 30, no longer has children in school. Paolillo, who voted at the Shaw Avenue School, said she voted yes to the budget increases because it's important to maintain quality education for children, like the ones her children received.
For seniors, often living on a fixed income, making a decision about the budget proposals was harder. Julia Strack, a District 24 resident since 1957, said she is "all for the children," but having the taxes go "up and up and up" each year at all municipal levels is enough to drive residents out of the community.
"There are a lot of people selling their homes," Strack said. "It's not because it is not a beautiful place to live -- because it is -- it's because of the taxes."
"On behalf of the High School District Board of Education, I am really happy that the majority of the Central High School District voters supported the budget," said high school district board vice president Anthony Iadevaio. "This shows a vote of confidence for the Board of Education and administration that we are doing the right thing for our students by focusing on increased student achievement. A record 75 percent graduated with a Regents diploma and a record 95 percent continued on to college.
"The Central High School District Board would like to thank our local legislators, Senator Skelos and Assemblymen Barra and Alfano, for voting to restore most of the money that the Governor had cut from the education budget. The full percentage point that the high school district was able to reduce from its tax rate enabled us not to cut programs and guidance services or increase class size. I am sure this had a lot to do with our budget passing by approximately 1,200 votes. Thank you again to all for your support," Iadevaio said.
