West Hempstead school board agrees to revote on reduced budget
West Hempstead Schools Asst. Superintendent for business Joel Press gives a presentation regarding the school budget during a meeting of the school board at the high school on the evening of June 7, 2022. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
West Hempstead’s school board agreed Tuesday night to hold a revote on a reduced budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year, with a lower tax hike than the one originally proposed.
The board’s vote was unanimous.
The new plan calls for $71.1 million in spending, a reduction of about $256,000 from the district’s original budget that was rejected by voters May 17. If approved, the new proposal would raise West Hempstead’s school property taxes 1.5%, as opposed to the 2.14% hike projected in the first budget.
The revote will be held June 21. Joel Press, the district’s assistant superintendent for business and operations, said that a second voter rejection, should it occur, could force the district to cut current spending by about $717,000, and to consider larger class sizes, elimination of sports and reductions in elective courses.
West Hempstead’s initial budget went down by a vote of 1,103 to 734. The plan was the only one defeated on Long Island, out of a total 124 district budgets up for vote.
John Hildebrand is Newsday's senior education writer and has covered school news and policy issues affecting Long Island for more than 40 years.
