By:Anthony Rifilato
The defeated budget, which would have increased 7.2 percent over last year's, will be the overriding topic as the West Hempstead school board meets on Wednesday evening, May 19.
State law allows the board to make changes to the budget in preparation for a re-vote, which most likely will be scheduled in June. Should the measure fail again, the district will be forced into operate under austerity in the upcoming school year, which would allow for only a 2.4 percent increase in expenditures over last year's budget.
Malverne residents passed their $35.24 million school budget--narrowly--with 731 people in favor and 700 against. The 2004-2005 budget will increase 6.3 percent over last year's.
Incumbents stay put
West Hempstead voters re-elected school board members David Whelpley and Marty Kaye, who ran unopposed. Whelpley received 839 votes and Kaye received 777 votes. Incumbent Janice Caufield was also re-elected, receiving 675 votes and beating her challenger, Douglas Rodriguez, who received 557 votes.
Malverne residents re-elected board member Karen Aker, who ran uncontested, with 920 votes.
