School officials explain failed budget votes
Voters "overwhelmed and frustrated by taxes" rejected the budget because of a 4.76 percent tax levy increase, board member Vicky Alspector said. The board meets Thursday to discuss a new potential proposal, she said.
Board member Dan Ciccone cited a 7.21 percent tax levy increase. Ciccone said it would be "irresponsible" of the board to offer the same proposal for the June 15 revote.
Superintendent Robert Feirsen said he was "disappointed" voters rejected a 3.21 percent spending increase. Officials said they would decide in the next few days whether to retool the budget.
The budget's failure by a single vote is evidence of a "divided community"; half thought a 4.83 percent tax levy increase was too much, said board president Richard Buckley. The board must decide whether to scale it back, he said.
Superintendent Herman Sirois blamed the budget's failure on news media focus of its 3.8 percent tax levy increase. He said he will recommend the board put the same budget up for a second vote.
District officials said the budget failed because of hard economic times; opponents blamed spendthrift spending. Board trustee Robert Frey said the district will likely look to trim the budget.
Superintendent Anthony Cacciola cited a tax levy increase of more than 7 percent, which voters rejected. He said he expects the board to craft
a new plan that might include staff cuts.
About $400,000 in tuition losses from Island Park students who now attend Long Beach High School resulted in a 9.4 percent tax levy increase voters rejected, superintendent John Hogan said. The board will likely eye "significant cuts" before proposing a new budget, he said.
Voters rejected a proposed 6.88 percent tax increase. Superintendent Constance Clark-Snead said she hopes her community will pass the budget in June unchanged.
A 13.94 percent tax levy
increase motivated residents
to defeat the budget, board president Denise Baines said. The district has decided to offer
a scaled-down budget in June,
she said.
Compiled by Yamiche Alcindor, Stacey Altherr and Patrick Whittle
NASSAU | Budget | Increase (%) | For | Against |
---|---|---|---|---|
E. Rockaway | $33,450,435 | 597 | 624 | |
Garden City | $98,275,256 | 1,459 | 1,662 | |
Herricks | $97,373,015 | 1,728 | 1,729 | |
Levittown | $193,543,816 | 3,227 | 3,250 | |
W. Hempstead | $54,547,423 | 1,080 | 1,738 | |
Westbury | $106,215,920 | 772 | 838 | |
SUFFOLK | Budget | Increase (%) | For | Against |
Elwood | $51,914,687 | 1,088 | 1,236 | |
Port Jefferson | $37,724,644 | 584 | 1,052 | |
W. Babylon | $94,266,369 | 1,145 | 1,325 | |
Wyandanch | $57,071,440 | 147 | 236 |