Rising costs and insufficient state aid have led many to conclude that the $94.5 million spending plan, a 5.8 percent increase over the current budget, is exorbitant. But the total is well within the range of acceptability compared with what was proposed during preliminary budget hearings. School board and district administrators worked closely to reduce the proposed increase from more than 6 percent.
The spending increase is also less than last year?s figure of 6.2 percent, despite sharp increases in fuel and energy costs. Several months ago, as the price of oil began to approach $100 a barrel, Hewlett-Woodmere officials decided to be proactive, enacting an energy savings plan with an outside contractor, and their efforts have paid off.
It's important to note that the district consistently receives one of the lowest allotments of state aid, and this is a regular -- and legitimate -- complaint by taxpayers. One school board member said that district taxpayers pay 10 times more in income taxes than they get back in the form of state aid. As a result, only 7 percent of the current and proposed budgets are funded by state aid, leaving the remainder on the shoulders of taxpayers. School officials have vowed to continue their efforts to get more funding from the state.
In the meantime, we are confident that this budget is fair, and we urge voters to approve it on Tuesday.
Vote yes on Propositions II and III
We wholeheartedly support Propositions II and III, especially because they serve as evidence of the school district?s concern with future costs.
Proposition II would utilize about $3 million in reserve funds for the district?s exciting long-term technology plan. At no additional cost to the taxpayers, Hewlett-Woodmere students would continue on the path to a new technological generation of education with state-of-the-art equipment. The most important aspect of the plan is the renovation of infrastructure, which means upgrading Internet and network connections along with equipment and maintenance. Many students would have the opportunity to learn with interactive whiteboards and Tablet PCs.
Proposition III it would authorize the establishment of a new reserve fund that would put aside money for future renovations of athletic facilities. Fields and playgrounds have finite lifespans, whether they have natural or synthetic turf, and the school district is making an effort to prevent a hard-hitting expense down the road.
Weinick and Ditchek Korman for school board
The Herald also endorses two strong Board of Education incumbents, Howard Weinick and Teena Ditchek Korman, both of whom are seeking re-election.
In his 15 years on the school board, Weinick has proved that he can help make adjustments during changing economic times. His push to establish an endowment fund was a prime example of preparation for the current downturn. He has shown vision in establishing reserve funds in the past, including the two that appear on this year?s ballot. Weinick has advocated continuing collaboration between the district?s public and private schools.
Ditchek Korman continues to demonstrate her concern for the tax burden on district residents. With her knowledge of education and government, she has focused on bringing a ?fair share? of state aid to the district.
In addition to her activism, Ditchek Korman is a fixture in the District 14 community, and can be seen attending events and supporting school-related organizations. She is truly an advocate for children, and has created important educational programs -- too many to mention here.
Both Weinick and Ditchek Korman have been instrumental in improving communication between parents and the district. Hewlett-Woodmere?s Web site continues to expand and include more resources for residents. The two trustees have been part of a school board that is transparent to the media and concerned citizens.
We laud Fred Usherson for challenging the incumbents. Unfortunately for Usherson, he is running against two very popular and strong candidates who have impressive results to show for their hard work. Usherson has a unique educational background that could be beneficial, but we don?t think he is seasoned enough to serve on this school board. We encourage him to be an active participant at board meetings, and perhaps to make a future run for trustee.
KICKER: Lawrence
Approve District 15 spending plan
The Herald urges voters to say yes to District 15?s proposed 2008-09 budget.
It is imperative that residents approve the budget for the second straight year, something that has not happened since the district fell into a four-year spiral of austerity beginning in 2003. The proposed $95.4 million spending plan has faced more scrutiny than the current budget, which featured no increase in spending over 2006-07. Next year?s proposal is approximately 3 percent larger, but voters must realize that this figure is below or on par with increases in districts across the county.
The budget would continue to support the full-day universal pre-K program at the Number Four School, the only one of its kind in Nassau County. It would also fund not only academic programs, but athletics and clubs that are vital for public school students. Also included are a five-year technology plan, the district?s transportation program and school maintenance improvements. Outdated equipment should also be upgraded or replaced, something that wasn?t possible during austerity.
Voting yes on the budget is a step toward leaving a forgettable period of austerity behind us. It's time for residents to set philosophical differences aside and keep the needs of our children in focus.
Say yes to Prop III, no to Prop IV
The district?s proposed $16 million capital improvement project, Proposition III, may appear lackluster, but every item on the list is crucial in order to leave no child behind, and to make the school board's goal of creating state-of-the-art facilities a reality.
Making use of its $30 million tax reserve fund would allow the district to pay off a bond passed a decade ago for additions to the Number Two School. According to school board President Murray Forman, that would leave the district debt-free. And it's important to emphasize that the capital improvement plan will not impact taxpayers in any way.
In addition to repairing steam traps and windows, seven high school and five middle school science labs would be reconstructed. Several athletic fields and the middle school tennis courts would be refurbished. Air conditioning would be installed in the middle school auditorium, and lockers and locker rooms would be renovated. The complete list of proposed repairs can be found on the district?s Web site, www.lawrence.org.
Proposition III deserves your vote.
We do not support Proposition IV, however, despite the fact that no district deserves a state-of-the-art athletic facility more than Lawrence. The proposal for a synthetic-turf field, which would replace the current grass pitch at Lawrence High School, came at what seemed to be the right time. Money was available in the tax reserve, and the research into the advantages of synthetic turf is convincing.
But when a respected state agency like New York's Department of Environmental Conservation launches a study that raises health and environmental questions, we must listen. Much to our dismay, the timing turns out to be all wrong for a synthetic field.
If voters were to approve Proposition IV, the district would be obligated to install the field. Should the DEC subsequently prove that it is hazardous, the district would be obligated to remove its $1 million investment.
Furthermore, the proposition is incomplete, failing to include a plan for lighting the field, which would allow the district to host more evening school and community events. It's unfortunate that Lawrence students will have to continue to play on other districts? upgraded amenities, but we feel that one more year of research is needed. We urge voters to reject this proposal.
Elect Forman, Mansdorf trustees
Since the school board election is uncontested, Murray Forman and Dr. Asher Mansdorf are easy endorsements. We applaud Mansdorf for returning to the board after a year-long hiatus. Even during his time away, he worked to secure grants for the district and regularly attended meetings. He has also shown leadership during times of budget austerity as well as tumultuous ideological clashes in the community.
Forman is an admitted fiscally conservative, and some residents have criticized him for operating the school board like a business. But a school district is essentially a very expensive business. As school board president, Forman was influential in molding the capital improvement proposition, and brought a synthetic turf field at the high school to a vote. He also has valuable ideas regarding the consolidation of district schools.
The absence of challengers for Forman and Mansdorf, coupled with the unexpected departure of Trustee Stanley Kopilow, means that opposing voices will be absent from the board. It?s predictable that the majority will make many decisions in lockstep, but if that means fiscal success, state-of-the-art facilities and continuing expansion academic and extracurricular programs, then the community will be well served.
On Tuesday, show your support for Forman and Mansdorf.
