By MIKE RUSSO
The school budget, a $114.01 million spending plan, passed with 1,325 voting in favor and 789 against. The library budget passed with 1,378 yes votes and 668 against. Proposition 3, authorizing the board to make a transfer of capital funds, passed with 1,454 yeses and 566 nos.
O'Hagan received 1,178 votes, Schoen received 1,039, and challengers Jinett Harper and Tanya Parris received 818 and 632, respectively.
Schoen said he was very happy that the budget and Proposition 3 passed, and wished to thank residents for their support. "I'm glad that the people demonstrated the faith in the job that Mary Jo and I have been doing and have returned us," he said.
O'Hagan said she was grateful that the community supported her in the election, and that she will continue to work hard to earn that support. The district will enter the 2009-10 school year with the same school board, which enables the board members to focus more on the tasks at hand, O'Hagan said. She said that the board's greatest short-term and long-term challenges will be to maintain the educational program during a time of economic crisis.
"We need to fight against efforts by [Nassau County] and [New York State] to pass along further tax burdens like the MTA Payroll Tax, Pre-School Special Education costs, and tax certioraris," O'Hagan said. "And we need to prepare for the reductions in state aid and federal support that will impact the district in the next few years."
Harper congratulated both candidates on their victory. With family and work obligations, Harper said she doesn't know at this point whether she would consider running for the board in the future.
Harper, who spoke during her campaign on the district's need to focus more on updating its technology in the schools � particularly with SMART Boards � said she will continue to personally research and lobby for local and state assistance.
Already an active member of the community, Harper said she hopes to continue that trend. "I love Baldwin and I love children," Harper said. "I feel it is every citizen's responsibility to be active and serve their community. I will continue to work through the PTA, the Bruins Booster Club and my local church to support the children and families of Baldwin. Service, before self."
Parris said she would make another run at a seat on the school board if she identified another way to make a difference in the community.
Parris said that she will continue to fight for Baldwin�s share of state funding, as Albany�s current calculations do not accurately reflect the amount Baldwin should be entitled to. Her petition to correct the issue, which can be found at www.ipetitions.com/petition/BaldwinTaxPetition/index.html.
Parris, who plans to remain in Baldwin for a long time, said she will remain as involved in the community as possible. �It is without question that I will remain as active as my schedule will allow, be it with PTA, the school board or in any capacity in which I can make some difference,� Parris said. ��Beautiful Baldwin� is my community, and I love it here.�
The next meeting of the Baldwin Board of Education will be held on June 10 at Baldwin High School.
Comments about this story? MRusso@ liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
