by Cris Italia
The budget increase in Oceanside is just under five million from last year, making it $87,114,470. "This money will go to making programs in our district stronger," Superintendent Dr. Herb Brown said.
With a 20 percent county tax increase, Brown still had a little doubt that the budget may not have passed. "I'm always optimistic, but until the votes are in, you never know what can happen. This year was hard with a big county tax increase," Brown said.
With aid from the state decreasing, Oceanside residents might have to bare the burden. "We have no other way of paying for school service for kids," Brown said. "But everyone has to decide for themselves whether they will accept the increases."
Residents agreed, with little coming from the state department of Education, students will have no where else to turn. "It's the price you pay for a good education," Marilyn Jacobs said. "Our kids shouldn't be short changed, so its up to parents to provide what we can."
All three school board candidates were unopposed with, newcomer Don Maresca leading the pack in votes with 1,623. Sue Graham received 1,541 votes and Diane O'Connor received 1,537.
Also on the ballot was Proposition 3 which increases bus mileage for middle school students. The proposition failed to pass, just as a similar plan failed to pass last year as well. "They can try again next year," Brown said of the parents who favored the proposition. "In the meantime their are other options. We always try to help anyway we can."
Island Park's budget will have an increase of just over a million dollars, totaling to $22,475,112. Also on the ballot was unopposed school board member, Steven Foster, who received 396 votes.
