By JOSEPH KELLARD
Residents passed Oceanside's $105.4 million budget by a vote of 2,287 to 1,991 while more than a third of the proposed school budgets on Long Island were defeated. In 2004, Oceanside had its budget turned away by a mere 10 votes.
Throughout this school year, the district kept the community updated on budget and tax issues in various ways, mainly through its newsletters and in meetings with parents, teachers and the community. This after the district's $99.4 million budget was defeated by a 1,028-to-1,018 vote last May. Residents faced adopting a $97 million budget that would mandate cuts in educational and after-school programs, but re-voted and approved the original budget by a 2,778-to-2,117 margin.
"There was so much advertised material out there this time," said board President Sue Graham, "and we were so forward in all our information, that I feel voters really knew what they were voting on. And our increase was reasonable."
While last year's budget represented an 8.6 increase in taxes, when the county average increase on Long Island was 7.9, Oceanside's 2005-06 budget represents a 6.4 increase against the 7.2 average. Oceanside's budget will increase the average home owner's taxes $350.
"I think what happened last year was part of a whole Long Island tax issue that we were certainly part of," Superintendent of Schools Herb Brown said. "And I just feel this year we did a good job of getting our message out."
In the election, Schoell defeated Taylor by a vote of 2,336 to 1,756 for a seat held by Diane O'Conner, who will retire to Florida. The seat holds a three-year term.
"Being involved in the district for 16 years, I'm known by a lot of people community-wise," Schoell said when asked why voters chose her over Taylor. "I really think it was just my visibility in the community."
A PTA president at School 8 for two years and at Oceanside High School for the last four years, Schoell ran on the vow to upgrade security and communication skills in the schools, improve students' oral and written communication skills, and call for a forensics auditor to look randomly and more intensely at district finances in addition to a to-be-hired internal auditor.
Regarding her immediate goals with the board, Schoell said, "You don't just go there and dive in, so I'm going to get on board and observe, learn and listen, and watch what they're doing."
Asked what is the best asset Schoell will bring to the board, Brown said, "I think because of her involvement in PTAs and many committees, Sandie brings a very strong knowledge of the school district. So when she gets started in July, I think she'll have a very short training period."
"I'm sure Sandie will make an excellent board member, and we all look forward to working with her," said Graham, who was reelected with fellow board member Don Maresca as unchallenged candidates.
Taylor ran on the promise to be an independent voice on the board and to bring greater equality to the district, from its intervention programs for "at risk" students to the way the base tax proportion is shared between business and property owners.
"I think I came away from this election with integrity," Taylor said, "and it was very encouraging knowing that I ran a clean campaign and had strong support."
