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HERALD
May 11, 2023
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Vol. 23 No. 20
salute to Israel
E.M. has best young artists
Peter King on his surprise surgery
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MAY 11 - 17, 2023
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East Meadow school budget is ready for voters By MAlloRY WIlsoN mwilson@liherald.com
The East Meadow School District’s nearly $238 million budget proposed for 2023-24 was created with both the present and the future in mind. The spending plan includes an increase in the tax levy — the total amount in taxes that will be collected from district taxpayers — of 2.84 percent. “Some of the general pieces of how our tax cap works (is) that you have last year’s numbers bounced against this year’s numbers,” Patrick Pizzo, assistant superintendent for business and finance, said. “If you have a big exclusion (this) year, it’s going to be balanced out next year — so that’s why our budget process is really planning three, five-plus years down the road. What you do today will affect tomorrow.” Joining Pizzo at a May 3 budget hearing to offer insight into the plan were Anthony Russo, assistant superintendent for personnel and administration; Jennifer Frisenda, assistant business administrator; and Superintendent Kenneth Card. There are three parts to the budget: administration, which encompasses things like board and budget vote expenses, legal
Runners and fans come together at the l.I. Marathon Runners hit the pavement last weekend for the Jovia Long Island Marathon in Eisenhower Park. There were races all three days, finishing on Sunday, with the half marathon and marathon. East Meadow residents Janet Franzese, 59, near right, and her daughter, Amanda Franzese, 26, crossed the half marathon finish line together. Top right, Harper Gregory, 5, of East Meadow, had a sign ready for marathoners who wanted an extra boost. Story, more photos, Page 8.
Tim Baker/Herald photos
Where to vote May 16 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at any of the district’s five elementary schools: Barnum Woods, Bowling Green, McVey, Meadowbrook, and Parkway services, employee benefits and administration; the capital portion, which includes debt service, maintenance, repairs and renovations, support service and employee benefits; and the program aspect, which encompasses the majority of programs for students. The proposal accounts for inflation, rising health insurance premiums and such. It details a 4.06 percent increase in expenses. “I like to say that if there’s a nickel under a rock somewhere, we’re looking to flip over that rock and put that nickel to use for our students,” Pizzo said. “We are always looking at efficiencies. Anything that we can do to try to limit the cost on what we’re doing administratively so the funds we have can go towards the students.” Continued on page 10