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Vol. 86 No. 17
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Maidenbaum Propert y Tax Reduction Gro up, LLC 483 Chestnut Street, Cedarhurst, NY 11516
APRIl 22 - 28, 2021
District adopts 2020-21 budget
Embracing a love of the arts Joann Abualya, a kindergartner at the Leo F. Giblyn School, was among the 20 Freeport elementary school students to have their artwork featured at the Long Island Children’s Museum Community Gallery throughout the month. Story, Page 3.
Increase in state aid allows for improvements, new hires By RoNNy REyEs rreyes@liherald.com
Courtesy Freeport Public Schools
The Freeport School District Board of Education approved a $195 million budget on April 20 for the 2021-22 school year, a $7 million increase over the current year. The final budget includes a $10.8 million increase in state aid, as well as a decrease of 0.1 percent in the tax levy. This would be the sixth time in seven years that the district would lower the tax levy. “It has been a long process over a difficult year . . . but now we have a budget that maintains all current programs, staff and
services while also expanding on some of these areas,” said Kishore Kuncham, superintendent of schools. “We’re thankful to have a budget that continues to improve on all the amazing programs we have in our schools,” added Maria Jordan-Awalom, a school board trustee. After Congress passed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan stimulus package last month, New York state allocated an additional $9 billion for schools and promised to increase foundation aid to all of what districts are owed, which would be phased in over the next three years. This Continued on page 5
Freeport’s Sharing Table: a place to exchange goodwill By RoNNy REyEs rreyes@liherald.com
When the coronavirus pandemic hit last year, Freeporter George Garbutt, a remote pilot operator for the Federal Aviation Administration, found himself unemployed, like so many others. Despite the hardship, Garbutt, 42, found solace in taking care of his three daughters, helping them with their remotelearning from home. Earlier this year, while scrolling through social media, Garbutt came across the Sharing Tables of the USA Facebook page, which showed dozens of New York and California fami-
lies who set up tables outside their homes filled with food, clothes and toiletries for people in need. Garbutt, an Air Force veteran, noticed that Freeport didn’t have a Sharing Table, so he set one up outside his home, at 164 E. Seaman Ave., on March 1. Since then, dozens of people have stopped by each week to pick up items or donate supplies for those in need. “It was very surprising to see how many people it helps,” Garbutt said. “The table turned out to be a blessing. It brings happiness and joy to the community.” The Sharing Tables informally began last November, when
I
t brings happiness and joy to the community. GEoRGE GARButt Freeport
Mary Kate Tischler, of Seaford, set one up in her neighborhood. Tischler said she didn’t have a specific goal in mind when she set up the table; she just wanted to take advantage of the community’s proclivity to give by creating a place to do so without any pressure.
“It seemed like a very effective and easy way to help people locally,” Tischler said. Since then, more than 50 Sharing Tables have cropped up across New York, many of them on Long Island, and as far away as California. Garbutt’s table was the 46th one officially acknowledged by the Sharing Tables of the USA group.
Garbutt is now focused on keeping the table operating 24/7. He wakes up early in the morning to help those stopping by, and checks on the table every hour or so to organize it and restock supplies. His wife and daughters often lend a hand. Garbutt said the table is busy through the day, with as many as Continued on page 8