Friday, April 30, 2021
Vol. 98, No.35
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New board halves proposal for fire station renovation
READY FOR THE FINALS
BY RIKKI N. MASSAND
The GCHS Trojans head to the Nassau County finals after beating Sewanhaka 35-14. The team is undefeated this season and will be facing MacArthur High School at home at 2 pm on May 1.
Schools plan to increase mental health, wellness programs BY RIKKI N. MASSAND A week prior to the 20212022 Garden City Public Schools’ budget hearing, School Board President William Holub discussed the district’s “beefing up” of mental health and wellness programs, to align with the rigors and stresses of student life. One of the priorities Garden City Union Free School District noted during budget presentations is “to provide school environments
that are safe and supportive of social, emotional and physical health, and well-being.” Specifically, the district outlined the following budgeted goals: identify and address mental health and wellness needs K-12; the addition of a grant funded psychologist, and implementation of Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports for speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy and mental health. In an interview with The
Garden City News, Holub detailed how the plans, through the pandemic and with the reopening of schools this year, have continued with new and increased efforts to address the mental health and wellness of children. “Especially coming out of the pandemic, with looking forward to the kids being back in the schools as they are now every day. It’s about having the resources available if we See page 41
The Village Board of Trustees, led by Garden City’s new Mayor Cosmo Veneziale, halved the capital budget proposed for renovations for the fire station on Edgemere Road for the 2021-22 fiscal year. The prior board had been contemplating allocating $7.575 million on the project, but the new board has reduced that amount to $3.5 million. Mayor Veneziale, an architect, served on the Western Property Owners’ Association Firehouse Committee for two years prior to running for mayor with the For A Better Garden City group. The change to the budget was decided at the Board’s Thursday April 22 meeting. Mayor Veneziale clarified that the allocation is, “subject to further change based on additional information obtained from the proposed Village Fire Safety Committee and the completion of a Needs Assessment.” Originally at the March 18 GCFD budget presentation, there was a Capital Projects line item for the $7.575 million for Station No. 2’s redesign, with the note “until architect (PKAD) finalizes accurate estimates for the total cost of the project.” That initial GCFD plan was abandoned. See page 38
GC schools budget increase set for 1.2% BY RIKKI MASSAND
The Garden City School District’s 2021-2022 budget hearing is scheduled for Tuesday evening, May 4, as the district proposes a budget of $122,381,487 with the state-maximum allowable tax levy of 0.84% -- representing a budget-to-budget increase over this current fiscal year of 1.21% or $1,468,346. The community’s vote on the budget and the election of two board of education trustees will take place on See page 40
Library’s pet books seek forever homes PAGE 24 ‘Supermarket Spring’ at Community Club PAGE 19