________________ LONG BEACH _______________
HERALD Staying safe from smoke, fires
Preparing for Passover
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Vol. 35 No. 17
APRIl 18 - 24, 2024
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School district unveils second budget plan $109.1 million, 1.5 percent larger than the current year. The district will also make use of The Long Beach School Dis- nearly $510,000 from the approtrict presented its second draft priated fund balance. “The earlier reported loss of budget and revenue projection for the 2024-25 academic year at funding greatly disrupted our a Board of Education meeting community,” board Trustee Anne Conway said, speaking on on Tuesday. The spending plan totals behalf of Vice President Sam P i n t o, wh o w a s $155.9 million, 2.85 unable to attend percent larger than the session because the current budget, of a family commitand aims to address ment. “I’m glad the district’s educathat because of the tional needs while advocacy of many, accommodating it was replenished. financial conAnd we now have straints. the time to do our Initially conANNE CoNwAy diligence and work cerned about Gov. Trustee, as a community for K a t hy H o c h u l ’ s the next steps in proposed $3.3 mil- Board of Education the future. In lion budget cut for the district due to a prospective regard to the upcoming budget, cut in state aid, which would we need to plan responsibly have led to a potential school and balance the needs of the closure and staff layoffs, dis- students and the impact on our trict officials now anticipate a community.” The spending plan includes slight increase in state aid, to $27.3 million. They also expect the hiring of a social worker and two instructors specializan $85,655 payment in lieu of taxes from the Long Island ing in supporting student wellPower Authority, but a drop in ness and growth, funded by an o t h e r r e ve n u e o f n e a rl y American Rescue Plan Act grant. It ensures that crucial $183,000. The bulk of the projected personnel, like assistant princirevenue is a tax levy totaling Continued on page 7
By ANGElINA ZINGARIEllo
azingariello@liherald.com
Courtesy Susan Clancy
Earth Arts is coming back, new and improved Susan Clancy and her children loved Earth Arts so much when they went there for birthday parties that they were broken-hearted when they heard it planned to close. So Clancy bought it, and planned to reopen it on Friday. Story, more photos, Page 4.
City votes to settle with Agostisi At meeting, there’s no shortage of community opposition By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com
The protestations of livid community members and a lively back-and-forth among City Council members highlighted a meeting on Tuesday, which ended with a vote to settle a 2021 lawsuit against the city by former Acting City Manager Robert Agostisi for $250,000. The settlement amount, which was not included on the agenda, was announced after a brief executive session, before the public discussion. Council President Brendan Finn, Vice Presi-
dent Chris Fiumara and Mike Reinhart voted for the settlement. Roy Lester voted no, and John Bendo, who is named in the suit, recused himself. “I don’t shy away from a battle, I don’t shy away from a challenge, but I feel that this settlement is in the best interests of the people of Long Beach,” Finn said. “I don’t want to continue with this, because we don’t know how it’s going to end and we don’t know how much more money we’re going to spend. I’m voting in favor of the resolution, but it’s very difficult to make Continued on page 11 April 18, 2024
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his budget, I feel, uses our students as our focus.