By Nicole Falco
Proposition 3, which called for the creation of a capital reserve fund in the high school district, also passed.
In fact, after two straight years in which a record number of fiscal plans were voted down on the first try, including District 13's, budgets passed in nearly 90 percent of the county's 56 school districts on Tuesday.
High School District
The majority of voters in all three elementary districts cast ballots in favor of the High School District's $86.8 million budget, an increase of almost 6 percent over the current spending plan. Of 4,490 ballots cast, 56 percent supported the budget.
Dr. Marc Bernstein, the high school superintendent, couldn't have been happier with the results. He attributed the budget's success to a $1.4 million, or 10 percent, state aid increase, which helped reduce the tax rate, a prudent spending plan and increased community outreach: District officials attended about a dozen community meetings to explain the budget and the capital reserve fund.
And that outreach wasn't only about the budget. In the two weeks leading up to the vote, more than 800 residents turned out at North High School for District 13's Relay For Life to benefit the American Cancer Society, raising nearly $90,000. And the Keller Auditorium at Central High School was filled to capacity for last Thursday's community forum, "Think Globally, Act Locally."
"The bottom line is, I think, people are generally happy with our schools in Valley Stream," Bernstein said. "When people are getting a good shake, I think they tend to be more supportive."
The district can now go ahead with plans to create five new teaching positions, expand its science research program, buy new textbooks and complete capital improvements, including audio system upgrades and a partial roof replacement at Central High School.
As for the effect on their wallets, the average District 13 homeowner will see a tax decrease of $205 on the high school portion of his or her tax bill. The average District 24 homeowner will see a $125 increase, and the average District 30 homeowner will see a $274 increase.
Voters also approved the creation of a capital reserve fund. Fifty-seven percent - or 2,552 - voted in favor of the fund, which will be used to finance major projects that might otherwise have required bond referendums. The district can now add year-end budget surpluses or unexpected increases in revenue to the reserve fund, up to a total of $7 million, plus interest, over the next seven years. Voter approval is required for the money to be spent. After seven years, any leftover money can be used to offset a tax levy increase, or the district can ask the community to establish another reserve fund.
District 13
There is no need for a revote or contingency plans this year in District 13 to the relief of Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Lison.
"I did not want [budget rejection] to become a pattern," Lison Wednesday morning. "I'm hopeful the pattern is broken and it's because every segment of the community worked together."
Fifty-five percent of voters - 1,511 - favored the budget. It calls for $36.27 million in expenditures, an increase of 6.5 percent over this year's budget.
Though residents may be feeling the pinch of Long Island's high tax burden and ever-increasing gas prices, most felt that their children's education was worth the price. "I'm voting yes," said Chris Casalo, who was at James A. Dever School on Tuesday evening to support the budget. "My kids are in Valley Stream schools, and I have some who will be going soon, so why should they be penalized for high taxes? That's the price you pay to live on Long Island."
Also voting at Dever, Jane Bader said she approaches the voting booth with the insight of both a resident and school employee. "I've been on both sides of the fence, as a teacher and a taxpayer," said Bader. "I worked in a district that had to go on austerity, and it's terrible."
For the average home in District 13, there will be a $187 increase on the elementary portion of its tax bill. The district plans to add three new teaching positions next year as well as a part-time custodial position at Howell Road.
There are also several capital projects planned throughout the district, including phase II of the three-phase parking lot renovation at Howell Road, a partial roof replacement at Dever, and new tile flooring for the Wheeler Avenue music room.
District 24
In District 24, 59 percent of voters - a total of 569 - gave their nod to the $23.2 million spending plan, which is a budget-to-budget increase of almost 5 percent. Still, the average District 24 homeowner will see a decrease of $26 on the elementary portion of his or her tax bill.
"I'm pleased with the budget that we were able to bring to the district," said Superintendent Dr. Edward Fale. "It maintains our programs of excellence in both instructional and outdoor education. I'm thankful for the continued support, and for the vote of confidence that the school district has shown us."
Fale also expressed his thanks to state Sen. Dean Skelos and Assemblyman Bob Barra. This year's state aid package included a $500,000 increase for the district. The $3.7 million package promised to the district allowed it to reduce its tax levy increase from 4.7 percent to 2.1 percent. In fact, all four Valley Stream districts received greater than anticipated state aid increases.
Filippa Verde was one district resident who turned out to support the budget. "We always vote for the budget because we have a son who is a school teacher," she said. "It's important for the children. If we want good schools in the neighborhood, then we have to pass the budget. I know our taxes go up, and that's life."
New initiatives voters can expect to see next year include a speech pathologist to assist with a language-based kindergarten section, and roof repairs at the Robert W. Carbonaro and William L. Buck schools.
Though District 24's budget passed by an overwhelming majority overall, there were razor-thin three-vote differences reported at the Brooklyn Avenue School and the Corona Avenue Firehouse. "I'm so shocked that the numbers are so close," said resident Marijo Sensale.
District 30
Before going into the Shaw Avenue School to vote Tuesday evening, Kathy Minori said, "I know that the administration is trying to tighten up. I'm hoping the school budget does get passed for the sake of the kids."
The 35-year District 30 resident had little to worry about. Of the four school budgets, District 30's was approved by the widest margin. A total of 590 votes - 63 percent of the total - supported the $26.1 million spending plan, a 6.4 percent increase over the current budget. The average homeowner will see a $63 increase on the elementary portion of his or her tax bill.
The budget includes plans to purchase new history reading materials; to continue the Saturday Academy to help students improve their reading, writing and listening skills for the state's English Language Arts exam; to hire an internal auditor, and to replace the electrical infrastructure at the Clear Stream Avenue school.
Trustee election results
All four candidates for school board in Valley Stream ran unopposed. In District 13, Trustees Bill Stris and Jeanne Greco Jacobs were re-elected to three-year terms with 1,455 and 1,782 votes, respectively. Joseph Conrad was re-elected to a three-year term in District 24 with 575 votes. In District 30, Keith Cummings was elected to his first full five-year term with 576 votes.
Hewlett-Woodmere results
Hewlett-Woodmere voters approved their district's budget proposal and re-elected all three incumbents to the school board.
The $84.1 million budget garnered 2,264 yes votes and 1,833 no's.
Incumbents Jill Stern, Steve Witt and Marcy Goldberg all won new terms as Board of Education trustees, handily defeating the lone challenger in the at-large race, Dr. Cliff Bryer. Stern earned 2,831 votes; Goldberg, 2,816; and Witt, 2,586. Bryer earned a total of 1,328 votes.
Mike Schnitzel, Anne Marie Allocca and Andrew Coen contributed to this story.
