Budget results: one yes,LynbroBudget results: one yes, one

East Rockaway's 2005-06 proposed school budget of $26,533,786 represented an 8.69 percent increase over the current budget of $24,411,425, and the voters rejected it resoundingly. For the first time in more than 10 years, the budget was voted down, 727 to 461."I am obviously disappointed," said East Rockaway School Superintendent Dr. Arnold Dodge. "The board put together a reasonable budget based on the needs of students. Now they are considering what their next step will be."For the average homeowner in East Rockaway the proposed tax increase with an approved budget would have been 11.28 percent.School board members now have the daunting task of trimming the budget for a dreaded second vote before July 1. If that should fail, New York state law requires the district to adopt an austerity budget, which would cap expenditure increases at 3.24 percent - meaning that about $1.3 million would have to be cut from the budget. That could mean that accelerated courses, elementary art, music and foreign-language classes, full-day kindergarten and teacher aides would be cut or eliminated.The concern in the district the morning after the vote was that there is little the school board can cut from the budget before it goes up for a second vote. State-mandated courses, insurance increases and a state-required audit this year are all items that cannot be adjusted."Like in every district in the county, people are fed up with their taxes, and unfortunately the begging for money for education is not right," said Dodge. "Something has to change. The system is broken."Dodge said he got a sense that the residents in districts who voted down their budgets were frustrated, perhaps even angry. "Where else can they take their anger out?" he asked. "Not at the gas pumps. Not at the grocery store. This is very unfair." One resident agreed that the budget was higher than she would have liked, but she supported it anyway. "I did think it was a big increase, but I had to vote yes," said a grandmother whose own children also attended district schools. "I will be damned if I supported the budget all these years while my children attended school here and did not do the same for my grandchildren. I will continue to support the school as long as I can. I think we all should."Dodge said that he is hopeful that whatever new scenario the board presents to the community will be supported. Board members can make adjustments to the budget and put it up for a second vote, put the same budget up for a re-vote, or voluntarily adopt an austerity budget. "There are no decisions yet," he said.In uncontested races, both incumbents William Barton (464 votes) and Debbie Tufano (529) were elected to another three-year term as school board trustees.

Lynbrook voters approved their 2005-06 school budget of $57,446,076 by a vote count of 1,101 to 838. It is a 5.5 percent increase over the current budget of $54,531,191. Increases in services will be seen across the board, including enhanced electives, additional club offerings and new programs that will include community involvement. There will also be additional spending in the areas of administration and capital improvement.Also passed on "Super Tuesday" was a proposition to use capital reserves totaling $834,013 to fund repairs and maintenance in Lynbrook schools, with a vote of 1,148 in favor and 576 opposed. Work will be performed in North and South middle schools as well as West End.For Lynbrook residents, the new budget will affect the taxes they pay. On an average home, taxes will increase from $5,837 to $6,334, or about 8.5 percent.In the school board election, Alicemarie Bresnihan ran unopposed and received 1,210 votes. It will be her 10th term, and her 30th year as a member of the board.Dave Penso was successful in his quest to win a third consecutive term - his first as both a school board member and a village trustee. Challenged by Larry Lombardo, who was making his fifth attempt to win a seat, Penso won 1,082 to 691."The vote reflects that the type of change offered by my opponent was not welcomed by the residents," said Penso. Lombardo ran on a platform directed at enforcing safety in the schools and televising school board meetings. His fifth unsuccessful run for a school board seat has not dampened his determination to see that those changes are made, regardless of whether he serves on the board. "I brought all the issues to the people that I thought they needed to know about," said Lombardo. "My only suggestion is that we watch Dave Penso, because actions speak louder than words. Will our schools be safer now? Will our meetings be televised? Let's see what Penso does regarding the issues. I know I will continue to be on top of things."Many will be watching how well Penso balances his responsibilities between the school board and the village board, a dual role that no one in recent memory has attempted. "I would like to thank those residents who came out to vote positively on the budget, and those who voted to move forward in a positive light by re-electing me," said Penso in a phone interview shortly after the results were announced. "The community has placed their confidence in me. I have earned the trust of the residents, and they have repaid their trust by re-electing me." Comments about this story? KBarone@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.