The rising cost of oil is affecting our school districts as much as, if not more than, it affects us individually. The Malverne Union Free School District is dealing with the issue with the Energy Performance Contract it has made with LIPA and Honeywell. This contract will mean fewer repairs to boilers, annual rebates for the use of solar power and reduced annual energy costs. The district estimates savings of $156,000 per year.
Aside from its efforts to conserve energy, the school district has worked tirelessly to bring taxpayers a no-frills, bare-bones budget. No programs have been cut, and the board has done all it could to address residents¹ concerns, budgeting for the requested dean¹s position at Howard T. Herber Middle School and increasing the special-education staff so as to be able to bring more in-house services to the district's population with special needs.
Unfunded state-mandated testing in English, math, social studies and science are being addressed with a new curriculum-writing program, which will help teachers and administrators come up with lesson plans to incorporate the mandated information.
The district¹s proposed budget is one worthy of a yes vote next Tuesday. The effort by the administration and the Board of Education to give taxpayers a great value for their dollars is evidenced by the fact that the difference between the proposed budget and the contingency budget is less than $1 million. This shows that there is virtually nothing in the budget that isn't absolutely necessary for continued quality education in Malverne Schools.
Re-elect O¹Connor
Marguerite O¹Connor has served almost a quarter century on the Malverne Board of Education. She has always been vocal about what she believes is and isn¹t in the best interest of the district. Her pride in the many accomplishments of the board, the administration and the students is matched only by the hours of service she has given to the district.
Altough she runs uncontested in this election, we nonetheless think voters should show their support by voting for O¹Connor on Tuesday, and let her know how much her dedication to the board is appreciated.
West Hempstead
The West Hempstead School District¹s proposed budget for 2006-07 totals nearly $48 million, a 5.34 percent increase. It means an estimated 4.4 percent tax levy increase or, $5,600 for the average $424,800 West Hempstead home, before any exemptions. However, voters will consider a total budgetary increase of 6.78 percent, which factors in the new public library¹s bond payments, a line that should hold steady in the district¹s budget at about $650,000 per year until the bond is paid off in about 20 years.
A huge issue in West Hempstead is transportation. The district transports students to and from some 95 schools, including private, parochial, BOCES and special education placements. With the rising cost of fuel, this has resulted in a proposed transportation increase of $380,255 over current costs.
In addition to providing for increased unfunded mandates, the budget also funds an expanded music program; a new student management system with an online, real-time grade book accessible to students, faculty and parents; and a demographic study of the district¹s future. Further, the budget allows for the continued use of school facilities by the district¹s senior citizens.
Considering the lack of a commercial tax base in West Hempstead, the proposed budget is one that residents should approve. The administration and board have worked hard to keep up with educational trends, increase funding for quality programming and continue the schools¹ amicable relationship with the community.
Re-elect Mariano and Rilling
James Mariano and Carole Rilling have served the West Hempstead Board of Education for 12 years. Both are up for re-election, and the fact that neither has a challenger speaks volumes about the community¹s satisfaction with its representation.
Both Mariano and Rilling have been integral in the addition of a full-day kindergarten class to the district, and have been avid cheerleaders for sports programming. Their communication with the public has been open and honest, and their dedication to the youth of the West Hempstead is unwavering. Votes for Mariano and Rilling will be votes for direct communication and quality education.
