By Andrew Coen
In one school board race, private-school candidate Murray Forman defeated incumbent Rose Harris by a slim margin, 3,970 votes to 3,900. In the other race, Stanley Kopilow beat private-school candidate Shlomo Huttler, 4,047 to 3,868, to fill the seat that will be vacated by Anthony Licatesi, who decided not to seek re-election.
The proposed $89.3 million budget, a 4.54 percent increase over the current budget, failed by a vote of 3,826 to 3,429. The school board and administrators must now determine whether to put the budget up for a re-vote on Tuesday, June 21, or adopt a contingency budget, which allows an increase of no more than 3.5 percent.
"I'm disappointed on the budget vote," said Superintendent Dr. John Fitzsimons. "I just don't understand it."
David Seidemann, who voted at Lawrence Middle School, cast his ballot against the budget and for candidates Huttler and Forman, saying that he felt district money could be spent more wisely. "I think it's time to do a comprehensive training on fat-trimming," said Seidemann. "We are all one community and could all benefit from having a comprehensive study done to find out how best to spend the money."
Ronald Krigsman, who also voted no on the budget and for Huttler and Forman, said, "I think they are spending too much money on each student already."
The proposed budget included a 5.31 percent tax levy hike and a 7.65 percent tax increase for the average District 15 homeowner.
The district is now in jeopardy of operating for another year on austerity, with some student programs at risk.
The proposed Peninsula Public Library budget of $2.3 million, a 4 percent increase, easily passed, 4,254 votes to 2,024. Current library Assistant Director Joan Lepelstat ran unopposed for a seat on the library board and will replace Patty Regan, who decided not to seek another five-year term after first getting elected in 2000.
Kopilow's victory ended a grueling month-long campaign, during which he and Huttler engaged in a war of words. "I'm gratified and humbled by the results," said Kopilow. "And as I said in my campaign, I'm going to work to try to make sure all the children in the district have the best education."
Forman beat Harris, who was seeking her second three-year term on the board. "I'm humbled by the trust the community has placed in me," said Forman.
Comments about this story? ACoen@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
