School budgets, trustee seats up for votes

By MARK NOLAN mnolan@liherald.com

Long Island’s “Super Tuesday” is May 16, when voters in every school district elect trustees to their local board of education and vote on proposed school budgets.

Both East Rockaway and Lynbrook are proposing budgets that fall below the New York State tax cap. Both districts also have additional propositions on the ballot.

East Rockaway

There are two open seats on the board of education, and two candidates running unopposed. Dineen Cilluffo and Asapasia “Ozzie” Lonergan are both running. The seats are both for three-years.

East Rockaway’s total proposed budget is $43,978,714 and constitutes a 1.83 percent tax levy increase, below the state tax cap.

Two additional propositions are on the ballot, which, if approved, would authorize the district to spend capital reserve money. The first capital reserve request is to spend up to $70,000 for technology upgrades. The second request is to spend $313,000 for restoring the cupola at the Junior/Senior High School.

Superintendent James DeTommaso said the budget and propositions, if approved, will allow the district to improve technology for students.

“We’re proud of the budget that we’ve proposed,” DeTommaso said. “We’re hoping the community will come out and recognize that we’re addressing 21st century learning and beyond which will help our students build post-secondary skills.”

Voting takes place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at East Rockaway

Junior/Senior High School on 443 Ocean Ave.

Lynbrook

In Lynbrook, there are a total of four candidates for three seats. The two candidates with the highest votes will win threeyear seats on the board. The candidate with the third highest amount of votes will be elected to fill a one-year term that runs from May 16, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

Incumbents Tara Aragona, Ellen Marcus, and Patrick Palleschi are running for reelection along with newcomer Jennifer Saia.

Lynbrook’s proposed budget is $101,839,388 with a tax levy increase of 2.6 percent, below the state’s tax cap.

Three additional propositions are on the ballot in Lynbrook. The first would allow the district to spend up to $464,179 for improving technology and continuing the multiyear wiring project. The second proposition would allow the district to spend up to $1,770,000 to renovate a bathroom, classroom doors, athletic courts, an elevator in the high school, and other items.

The third proposition would authorize the district to extend an existing capital reserve fund established by voter approval on May 15, 2018 by five years. This fund would be increased to $5 million for continuing improvements to grounds and equip - ment.

Incoming Superintendent Paul Lynch said the budget preserves programs and services to students implemented during the pandemic without raising taxes.

“A key aspect of the budget is that we are preserving everything we added during covid without going above the permissible tax levy,” Lynch said. “We are coming in significantly under the tax levy while preserving programs, and we’re very happy about that.”

Voting takes place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at North Middle School, 529 Merrick Road; South Middle School, 333 Union Ave., and the high school, 9 Union Ave.