_______ Malverne/West HeMpstead ______
Edition Graduation Keepsake
June 22, 2023
HERALD
GRADUATES the C L A S S
OF 2023
the best and brightest
Vol. 30 No. 26
Shakespeare at the Farm returns
Spring sports roundup
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Page 6
JUNE 22 - 28, 2023
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Students are inspired by Juneteenth Jubilee By NiColE FoRMiSANo nformisano@liherald.com LON, NAS, LYN, MAL
Christine Rivera/Herald
StUdENtS iN K-12 from all four Malverne schools joined the celebration of history and culture at the high school last Friday.
With the auditorium at Malverne High School full of kids smiling, enjoying food and jamming out to drums, the school district’s third annual Juneteenth Jubilee last Friday embodied joy and cultural celebration. District administration, faculty and students worked with the PTA, the Lakeview Civic Association, and the local NAACP to plan this year’s jubilee. Malverne began celebrating Juneteenth a year before it became a federalContinued on page 16
Twice is nice: Voters approve school budget on second try By MARK NolAN mnolan@liherald.com
Vo t e r s T u e s d a y n i g h t approved the West Hempstead school district budget after defeating the identical proposal in May. The June 20 revote resulted in 1,989 residents voting in favor of the budget, and 1,670 voting against the budget The approved 2023-24 budget will result in a 1.99 percent tax increase for homeowners. The
average homeowner will see a $155 yearly increase in property taxes compared to last year’s school budget taxes. “The school budget revote is crucial for us to prioritize student needs as they continue to receive a quality education,” West Hempstead Superintendent Daniel Rehman said. “Every dollar benefits student academic success.” The $74,125,176 spending plan will result in a 4.20 percent spending increase from last year. The 1.99 percent tax levy increase is LON, NAS, LYN, MAL
below the state’s 2.43 percent tax cap for the district. Officials said this marks the 12th consecutive budget below the tax cap. “Our commitment to fiscal responsibility ensures taxpayer dollars are utilized wisely and in the best interests of student and the community,” Rehman said. West Hempstead school officials have been coping with declining enrollment coupled with increased transportation and special education costs. Just since last year’s budget, medical JUNE 22, 2023
Great Homes the Ultimate Local Home showcase Pull Out
insurance premiums for employees rose by $930,000. Special education costs increased by $730,000 from last year, while facilities management and transportation combined for a $975,000 increase from last year, according to a district informational presentation to taxpayers. To help offset these costs without only raising the tax levy, district officials have increased use of the fund balance from $1 million in 2016-17 to $3.8 million in 2023-24.
BOE Trustee Burt Blass, during a May revote hearing, criticized the district for relying too heavily on using the fund balance. Blass said the district could run into financial headaches in the future if the fund balance continues to be used. Blass argued that the district could simply reduce the reserve fund from 4 to 3 percent. He said that would allow the district to propose a 0 percent tax levy increase while balancing the budget and building reserves.