Compiled by Mike Caputo
Schools
Voters head to the booths on May 19 to decide on the proposed $175 million East Meadow school budget, a spending plan that, despite the economic recession, maintains all programs and jobs across the district.
The proposed East Meadow school budget, often described by administrators as a "Save Our Schools" plan, includes a slight 2.2 percent rise in expenditures, a number school officials say is the lowest percentage spending increase in about 20 years. An increase of 3.5 percent on the tax levy is expected, which is among the lowest figures this decade.
Last year, East Meadow voters approved a $171 million budget that called for a 4.3 percent spending increase and a 4.46 percent rise in the tax levy. East Meadow voters have traditionally supported the budget; the district has not operated in austerity since the early '70s.
The administrative team led by Superintendent Leon Campo achieved a 2.2 percent spending increase by molding an unprecedented budget that did not reflect typical year-to-year rises in expenses. This budget was subsidized mainly through reserve funds that were stored away through the years.
Campo and his administrative team have described this subsidized budget as "unique," and a response to the economic recession that has led other Nassau school districts to propose cuts to programs and jobs. Total revenue through the state and federal governments remains in question.
Unlike other districts, East Meadow's proposed school budget preserves programs and jobs, maintains class sizes, continues a limited Smart Board technology program, leaves room for capital projects and is expected to offer residents one of the lowest school tax increases in the county.
Library
The East Meadow library board has proposed a $6.2 million budget, with a slight 2.45 percent increase in spending, along with a slim 2.5 percent expected rise in the tax levy.
Library officials emphasized to residents that to keep costs manageable, there are no major initiatives planned for this year, but that there will be plenty of improvement projects in the coming years.
Budget expenditures include personnel services; furniture and equipment; contractual expenses like books, recordings and data processing; library operating expenses like programs, maintenance and supplies; utilities and insurance; and employee benefits.
In addition to the budget, aid from grants and other sources helps the library deliver its popular slate of programs to residents.
School board races heat up
In addition to deciding on a $175 million budget proposal, East Meadow district voters also have the task of selecting three candidates to serve on the Board of Education.
All three races are contested, two of which are for three-year terms to begin in July. The winner of the third seat will be sworn in immediately following the election on May 19, and is to serve through June 2010. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on May 19.
Race No. 1
- Winner begins three-year term in July.
Incumbent Brian O'Flaherty vs. Challenger David Kullman
Race No. 2
- Winner begins three-year term in July.
Incumbent Walter Skinner vs. Challenger Anthony LaRosa
Race No. 3
- Winner to be sworn in on evening of May 19.
Joseph Danenza, Thomas Kurian and Marcee Rubinstein
Candidates weigh in on superintendent search
As the East Meadow school board prepares to make its third attempt at hiring a new superintendent, the quest to find a new administrative leader for the district has been a prominent issue for candidates as they campaign for three open seats on the Board of Education.
The first search for a new superintendent failed last June after the two final candidates withdrew their applications. That search, which initially cost about $30,000, was conducted using the services of an outside firm. East Meadow's school board instead agreed to extend Interim Superintendent Leon Campo's contract one more year, set to expire at the end of this June. A second search, conducted this fall by a committee consisting of district administrators, resulted in no final candidates.
For the past few months, the school board has deliberated over whether it will spend more money on an outside firm to conduct its search, or to hire from within. A only internal administrator to be publicly discussed as a candidate for the position has been Lou DeAngelo, assistant superintendent for Human Resources.
Incumbents Brian O'Flaherty and Walter Skinner, who are running together and seek re-election to three-year terms on the school board, agree that once Interim Superintendent Leon Campo's contract expires on June 30, the district should promote Lou DeAngelo, currently the assistant superintendent for Human Resources.
Both noted that a third search would be expensive, and based on experience and hearing from other districts, such a method would not necessarily garner a qualified candidate.
"After hearing that Lindenhurst hired within and Nassau BOCES called off their search because of lack of qualified candidates, I think Mr. DeAngelo is qualified to be in this position," O'Flaherty said. "He knows the district in terms of the culture and the players involved, especially those administrators who knows how to motivate this district forward. I think he will make a fine superintendent."
"I was always a fan of Lou," Skinner said. "He is someone who can take the district to the next level. Lou knows the East Meadow community well, so who better to take the helm?"
Their challengers, David Kullman and Anthony LaRosa, support the option of conducting another outside search to find a new superintendent.
Both Kullman and LaRosa said they are not opposed to considering DeAngelo for the position, but that they believe the district should bring in more potential candidates.
"They are offering us one candidate," Kullman said. "We feel we need a choice, that's all we are asking for."
"People are hungry," LaRosa said. "There are people out there that are still well-qualified if we can just look and see."
Joseph Danenza, Thomas Kurian and Marcee Rubinstein, who are vying for the third seat to run through June 2010, did agree on one thing: the board's divisiveness has factored into its inability to hire a new superintendent after nearly two years.
"There is a lack of being about to accomplish things because of the division of the board," Danenza said.
"Why can't we find a superintendent?" Kurian said. "It means the board is divided. We need to be flexible."
Rubinstein said that another expensive search would not be a wise choice and suggested that DeAngelo should be taken seriously as a candidate for the job.
"Do I think Mr. DeAngelo would make a good superintendent?" Rubinstein said. "One never knows until he gets into the job. We can only hope he can, but he does have some very positive things about him."
