By: Mike Russo
The proposed 2008-2009 East Meadow school district budget was passed on May 20, with 1,982 residents voting in favor of the spending plan. The library budget, passed with 1,868 votes. In addition, residents elected Diana DeVito and Al Semonella to the school board.
The $171.4 million budget is a 4.3 percent increase over the current year, and increases the tax levy by 4.7 percent. According to the school district's web site, the budget addresses increases in utilities such as fuel, oil and electricity, contractual obligations, health insurance premiums and operational costs associated with running a large school district. The tax levy increase, originally expected to be above six percent, was lower thanks to in state aid to the district.
"We are very, very grateful that the community overwhelmingly supported the school budget," said superintendent Leon Campo. "In spite of the heavy tax burden that residents bear, they overwhelmingly supported the school budget, which will accrue to the betterment of the entire East Meadow community."
Board candidates, DeVito and Semonella, were elected to oversee the budget and the district's day-to-day business. The two could not be reached for comment as of Wednesday morning.
The defeated candidates, Paul Stargot, Lenny Volpe and Wayne Soodek, were not without resident support, as indicated by the strong voter turnout for each of them.
"I gave it my best shot and I'm glad the budget passed," said Soodek. "I hope the board does not forget about the special ed kids in the district."
"I'm glad that the budget passed and that we the candidates did our best," said Stargot.
"I'm happy the budget passed, and I'm disappointed that I did not win," said Volpe. "I wish the best of luck to Al Semonella and Diana DeVito." Volpe added that he would not rule out the possibility of running for the board in the future.
