Malverne, West Hempstead school budgets pass

After being shot down for two years in a row, the West Hempstead school budget passed on Tuesday evening, with 2,277 people — or just over 58 percent of the voters — in favor, and 1,629 voting against it.

The budget was for around $77.9 million, with a 2.34 percent tax levy.

Incumbent Kurt Rockensies, vice president of the Board of Education, was reelected to his seat. He received 2,223 votes against newcomer Aaron Zelig’s 1,717. Andrea Shinsato, who has been on the board for 9 years, has also been reelected for another term. She received 2,223 votes against newcomer Rachel Kushner’s 1,726.

The Malverne school budget also passed with flying colors, with 410 people — or just under 80 percent of the voters — in favor of it, and 107 voting against it.

The budget is around $71.2 million, with a tax levy of exactly 2 percent. The budget provides students with the resources they need in a post-Covid world, like a social worker to support students in need, and a literacy program specifically helping students from kindergarten through the fourth grade, who were hit especially hard with learning loss.

Proposition number 2 also passed, and will upgrade school facilities like bathrooms, front doors, and Howard t. Herber auditorium at no additional cost to the taxpayer.

Jeanne D’Esposito was also reelected to her seat on the board of education. She ran unopposed.
“It’s always very gratifying that we get so much school support,” D’Esposito said. “The families in our district really prioritize giving our children the best education we can.”