_______ Malverne/West HeMpstead ______
HERALD West Hempstead ENl expands
Chambers call for ‘staycation’
Police recruits graduate
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Vol. 29 No. 28
JUlY 7 - 13, 2022
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Malverne library gets a makeover By KYlE CHIN kchin@liherald.com
T h e M a l ve r n e P u b l i c Library has received more than just a fresh coat of paint among its list of recent renovations, unveiling an all-new Teen Zone for young adult readers. Mayor Keith Corbett and State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin visited the library on June 29 to monitor the progress. As the centerpiece of the renovations, the Teen Zone is equipped with new technology, including a Nintendo Switch gaming system and an Oculus
Rift virtual-reality headset. The area is also furnished with new tables, chairs and plush rocking seats. “Furniture can be expensive in the library world,” library Director Carol Lagos said. “Some of the items I got through Wayfair, since they’re more affordable. But I really looked around for furniture, because I wanted to get things that felt exactly right in the space, budget permitting.” Overseeing the new youngadult projects is new Teen Librarian Jillian McHugh. “We were yesterday setting up the Nintendo Switch, and we
Kyle Chin/Herald
MalVErNE MaYor KEItH Corbett, Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, seated to his right, and the library staff in the new teen library area. had a teen test (the system) for us,” McHugh said. “That was a lot of fun, so we’ll be getting that going. Our summer reading is going pretty well. We have some teens coming in to sign up. And we’re working on programming to hopefully get more in.” McHugh added that she was hoping to boost teen involve-
ment. “We also accept teen volunteers,” she said. “They can just come in, fill out an application or find it online. Their help is always welcome.” In addition to the creation of the Teen Zone, the library had a wall mural repainted, and the children’s area also received new furniture. Perhaps most noticeable, large
portions of the building have been recarpeted in a vibrant blue. Outside, a grassy area along the side of the building has been refurbished and fenced in to accommodate future activities. The library staf f also launched a “little art gallery.” Developed by librarians Continued on page 5
West Hempstead budget passes, but debate lingers By KYlE CHIN kchin@liherald.com
West Hempstead residents passed the proposed $71.1 million school budget — in a second bid by the school board seeking voter approval — by a slim 174vote margin on June 21. The board’s first proposal was rejected on May 17, the only school district spending plan on Long Island to be voted down. The district’s cap on its tax levy increase was 2.14 percent, which it mirrored in its original budget proposal. In the revised spending plan, the increase was reduced to 1.5 percent, district officials said, adding that they
have consistently budgeted below the state cap for the past 11 years. Despite the budget’s approval, residents continued to express concern about the financial impact on the community. “Putting aside that enrollment in the district continues to decline while the budget keeps going up,” said one vocal resident who identified himself only as Mitchell, “my primary concern is the cumulative impact the sustained annual tax levy increases (are) having on community members who are financially less fortunate, especially as we’re navigating through record inflation.”
A major concern for some community members has been the status of the district’s reserve funds. The district had about $3 million in unappropriated funds as of last year. Additionally, employee benefit reserves have accrued significantly, with the employment retirement reserve standing at about $8 million. Mitchell and others have suggested that those and other surplus funds should be used to offset tax increases. Joel Press, the district’s assistant superintendent for business and operations, said that state regulations limit the use of those funds, and added that it is fiscally responsible to maintain
some reserves, but the district would stop adding to them if they grew too large. Mitchell said he was also dismayed about how the school board lobbied for the spending plan, stating that it would cost the average household $115 a year, or 32 cents a day, more than a contingency budget. Several trustees had compared this sum
to the cost of two pairs of shoes. “That seemed very dismissive to me,” Mitchell said. “In my mind, the money for those two pairs of shoes can be quite a few gallons of milk or other essentials, especially for people on a fixed or lower income.” Press said he could not single out any reason why support for Continued on page 7