By Nicole Falco
More than 52.5 percent of voters registered their opposition to the $34.3 million 2005-06 budget on Tuesday. All other Valley Stream school budgets passed, though by narrow margins in District 24 and the Central High School District. In all, one third of all Nassau County school district budgets failed.
Residents cast 1,349 ballots against 13's budget, which was 9.33 percent higher than the current budget, compared with 1,219 votes in favor of it. The elementary budget called for an average tax increase of $175.17. The Board of Education and administration must now re-examine the proposal. Last year, the district's initial $31.7 million budget proposal failed by 47 votes, forcing district officials to trim it by $400,000. The revised plan was approved in a June revote.
"We're very disappointed," said Dr. Elizabeth Lison, District 13 superintendent. "We believe that we put forth a reasonable budget - one that would allow our programs to continue and meet all of our children's needs."
District administrators and the Board of Education will meet May 24 and discuss whether to present the same budget to residents for a revote or reduce it. A revote would take place in June. If the proposal were to be defeated again, the district would then operate on a contingency budget. The district can also choose to forgo a revote and operate on contingency, which would allow an increase of no more than 3.24 percent. If forced onto a contingency budget, the district would have to make $1.6 million in cuts to the budget proposal.
Jamilia Gray, who moved to District 13 from Queens two years ago, offered an opinion likely shared by many in the community. She is very happy with the quality of education her daughter is receiving at the Howell Road School, but said she is not in favor of the rising taxes. "I've been reading and hearing about taxes going up, and I'm against that," she said as she headed in to vote on Tuesday. "[But] my daughter just started school in September, and I'm definitely satisfied - it's a very good school district. The resources are definitely there. My children will definitely get a good education."
Ten-year resident Noel Riley was one of the budget's supporters. He also supported the high school budget. "Obviously, we want our kids to have as many services as possible," he said.
District 13 voters also cast 1,369 votes, or 53.8 percent of ballots, against the Central High School District budget, but thanks to overwhelming support in District 30 and marginal support in District 24, the $81.9 million high school budget - a 7.8 percent increase over the current budget - passed.
"It's very interesting that people [in District 13] voted down the high school budget when it was a savings from the year before," Lison said. "That tells me that people are probably angry about what happened in the district the last couple of years."
District 13 homeowners will see an average tax decrease of $45 on the high school portion of their tax bill. In District 30, the high school budget passed with 59.9 percent of the 887 ballots cast. That district's homeowners can expect an average tax increase of $282 at the high school level. In District 24, the high school budget passed with approximately 52.6 percent of the 1,015 votes cast. District 24 homeowners will see an average increase of $193 on their tax bills for the high school district. In total, the high school budget passed with 2,242 - or 50.4 percent - of the 4,448 ballots cast.
"We are appreciative of the community's support," said Dr. Marc Bernstein, high school superintendent. "The approved budget allows us to move forward with our educational plans for the 2005-06 school year."
Regarding the narrow margin by which the budget passed, Bernstein said, "I never project what a margin will be. On the other hand, it's no surprise that the residents of the community are concerned by higher taxes as a result of this budget. This community is overtaxed. We get an insufficient amount of state aide dollars. ... It's very difficult for a middle-class community like Valley Stream to continue to pay higher taxes. On the other hand, I'm pleased that the majority of voters [did support the budget]."
District 24
In District 24, the $22.1 million elementary budget, an increase of 7.36 percent, was approved by approximately 53.2 percent of voters. There were 1,057 ballots cast, and the budget passed by 67 votes. In addition to an increase in their high school taxes, average homeowners will see an increase of $175 on their elementary tax bills.
"We appreciate the support of the community," Dr. Edward Fale, District 24 superintendent, said Tuesday night. "It's a vote of confidence for the excellent educational programs in the district."
District 24 parent Marijo Sensale was happy to hear the news. "I'm glad the budget passed," she said. "So the money will be well spent on the academic needs of our children."
Another budget supporter, David Lalama, said, "We believe in the quality of education, and nothing is more important than supporting the teachers."
District 30
Voters approved the $24.5 million budget proposed in District 30, an 8.55 percent increase. Of the 972 ballots cast, 590 - 60.7 percent - were in favor of the elementary budget. It carries an average tax increase of $195.
"Though [my husband and I] don't like the raise in our taxes, if it is for the better good, if we believe [our daughter] will benefit from it, we don't mind paying it," said District 30 resident Wendine Austen. "Who wants higher taxes? But it's a Catch-22 situation."
Trustee election results
Debra Evans won election to the District 13 Board of Education for a three-year term, by nine votes. She garnered 1,002 votes, compared with the 993 her challenger, Joseph DeSibio, received. Evans will replace Dr. Marie Connelly, who opted against seeking re-election after two years on the board.
"I am very pleased that the residents of District 13 feel that I would be a good [board member]," Evans said. "I want them all to know that I'm going to work very hard to be a good steward of our students' education and their financial issues."
In the uncontested races in District 13, Dr. Frank Chiachiere and Cathy Subbiondo were each re-elected to a three-year term, with 1,682 and 1,530 votes, respectively. In other uncontested races, Dr. Maria Fletcher was re-elected for five years to District 30's Board of Education with 681 votes; and Paul DePace and Carole Meaney were re-elected to District 24's board, each for a three-year term, with 740 and 797 votes, respectively. Newcomer Ian Wraith, who also ran unopposed, was elected to serve a three-year term on District 24's board with 676 votes.
Anne Marie Allocca contributed to this story.
Comments about it? NFalco@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.
