Herald endorsement

Vote 'yes' on Oceanside, Island Park school budgets

Posted

Although the Oceanside and Island Park school districts are each expected to see budget increases in 2021-22, it is as important a time as ever to back them as officials strive to enhance school safety and increase the quality of programs amid the coronavirus pandemic, while holding the line on taxes.

Thus, the Herald enthusiastically endorses the Oceanside and Island Park school district budgets, and encourages voters to show their support by voting “yes” next Tuesday.

Oceanside school officials have proposed a $163.4 million budget, which, if passed, would include a focus on mental health at a wellness center, provide personal protective equipment and allow for the hiring of new staff members.

Island Park’s budget proposal is $40.9 million, and includes funding to expand living environment classes for all eighth-graders, and for science, technology, engineering, art and math courses.

We also encourage residents to:

• Vote “yes” to Proposition 2, which would allocate state aid to energy conservation measures at the district level.

• Cast their ballots for the districts’ respective capital projects.

• Support school board members in uncontested elections.