Uniondale school district budget approved; Longsworth defeats Bermudez

Uniondale school district’s $266.73 million was passed 621 to 296 on May 21.

The new fiscal plan that goes into effect on July 1 will be a $10 million increase over the current budget. Three of the major jumps in spending can be attributed to tuition/charter expenses of $3.5 million. Debit service is going up by $2.57 million and transportation costs will increase $2.28 million.

Other increases include salaries/benefits at $828,256, special education $706,108, BOCES $443,319 and supplies coupled with what the district termed other is going up by nearly $4000,000.

The district is expected to receive a nearly $5 million uptick in gross state aid.

Incumbent Board of Education Trustee Natalie Longsworth defeated challenger Steve Bermudez 528 to 400 for a second term. Trustee Charmise Desiré ran unopposed and collected 728 votes. All terms are three years.  

Proposition 2 that asked voters to approve the spending of a little more than $1 million for upgrades and renovations at the elementary schools, Walnut Street, California Avenue, Northern Parkway and Smith Street, and Turtle Hook Middle School passed 685 to 178.

At Northern Parkway the district aims to spend $300,000 to replace the roof above the fifth grade wing and $125,000 to upgrade the natural gas line that connects to the school’s boilers. At Walnut spend $130,000 to replace all the hallway ceiling tiles and classroom and sink renovations totaling $50,000.

Repair and refinish 11 classroom wood floors for $110,000 and classroom and sink renovations costing $50,000 at California Avenue. Another upgrade to a natural gas line for $125,000 at Turtle Hook.

Installation of a new exit door from the kitchen to the outdoor walk-in freezer at Smith Street for $95,000 and classroom and sink renovations for $50,000.