By Dan Israeli
In Franklin Square, Jean Fichtl, running unopposed, was elected to her fifth term on the school board.
The Franklin Square Union Free School District's 2008-09 budget - totaling $31.6 million in spending, a 3.87 percent increase over the current year - passed by a vote count of 938 to 584. The district's tax levy will rise by 6.9 percent, after decreasing by 2.3 percent this year. A budget referendum also passed, which will allow the district to reallocate up to $700,000 from its repair reserve fund and budget surplus into the capital reserve fund. This will help pay for a Washington Street School project that will include a new roof and ball fields.
Elmont's 2008-09 school budget, which increased spending 5.1 percent, to $68.9 million, passed by a tally of 1,028 yes votes to 619 no's. The spending plan's tax levy did not increase. "We would like to thank the community, which has always been supportive, for supporting this budget process," Superintendent Al Harper said. "This was a collaborative effort of the board, PTA and staff, and we can move forward for the betterment of our children. The budget grind is a long push, and it's always a very happy night when it passes."
The Sewanhaka Central High School District - which comprises H. Frank Carey, Elmont Memorial and Sewanhaka high schools - adopted a 2008-09 spending plan totaling $147.9 million, 4.8 percent larger than the current budget and including a 2.8 increase in the tax levy, with a vote count of 3,422 to 2,447. Superintendent Warren Meierdiercks said he was pleased by the cushion of nearly 1,000 votes. "The voters in our district have shown their support yet again," Meierdiercks said. "We are thrilled the budget passed ... and are looking forward to moving forward."
Maffea and Walker will begin their first terms on the Elmont school board at the board's reorganizational meeting in July. Maffea, a banking consumer compliance officer, expressed his gratitude. "I am relieved," he said. "It shows that this community was ready for a change, and I will do my best to let them know that they made the right choice."
Maffea said he plans to simply observe the board's operations during his first couple of meetings before getting his hands on pertinent matters, like expanding the Gateway Youth Outreach program to Dutch Broadway School. "It's something I'm definitely in support of," he said. "It's time to make a positive impact on our community and our kids."
Walker, a former medical assistant, was out all day campaigning on Election Day, not letting the bad weather break her stride. "I'm going to work diligently with those currently on the board to see that our children continue to get the best education," she said. "I will also work on behalf of the community and its needs, especially as far as the tax levy is concerned."
Already involved in the community through her work with the Elmont Coalition Council and other groups, Walker said her tenure on the board will help deepen that connection. "I enjoy meeting people in the community," she said. "It gives me an opportunity to present myself, to converse with people and hear them out. Moving forward, it is my goal to improve the communication between the community and the board back to where it once was."
Maffea and Walker won their races over incumbents Aubrey Phillips and Elsy Mecklembourg-Guibert, respectively. Phillips, the head of a computer consulting business, leaves the board after nine years of service. He also serves as an executive committee member of the Nassau Suffolk School Boards Association. Mecklembourg-Guibert, a public health specialist, will be finishing her lone term on the Elmont board.
Fichtl, who will embark on her 13th year on the Franklin Square school board, said she is looking forward to continuing her commitment to education. "I feel there are still things I'd like to accomplish," said Fichtl, who also represents Franklin Square on the Sewanhaka Central High School District's Board of Education. "I feel like I can still make a difference."
Commets about this story? DIsraeli@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 214.
