Serving New Hyde Park, North New Hyde Park, Herricks, Garden City Park, Manhasset Hills, North Hills, Floral Park
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Friday, January 26, 2018
Vol. 67, No. 4
N E W H Y D E PA R K
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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
WOMAN POWER COMES TO NHP CHAMBER
CURRAN NAMES RYDER POLICE COMMISSIONER
PAGES 31-42
PAGE 11
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Schools see big pressure, little help from state
A -1 AT H L E T E S
Sewanhaka sees largest increase for North Shore schools in state aid BY JA N E LL E CL AUSEN Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed a $1.74 million boost in state operating aid for North Shore schools, according to budget numbers released!by the governor’s budget office, a roughly 1.99 percent increase from $87,440,757 to $89,181,026. If the proposed aid were to pass unchanged, the $1.74 million would be a small portion of the $26.35 million boost in state aid to Nassau County schools, which get more than $1 billion each year. It is also below the rate of increase for Nassau County and Long Island overall, which would see 2.61 and 2.3 percent boosts, respectively. Overall, Cuomo proposed a $769 million increase in school aid statewide, or 3 percent. But for some North Shore schools, it might not be enough. Michael Borges, the executive director of the New York State Association of School Business Offi-
cials, said that school districts feel the pressure of the state tax cap and a rising number of high needs students, and will likely feel the brunt of the federal tax ovehaul bill next year as people might vote down school budgets. Consequently, he said, an increase in state aid can help offset these pressures for both “high need school districts” – meaning state aid is required to fund more of their operations – and “low need school districts” like ones on the North Shore. “The governor has proposed a 3 percent increase in state aid, which, given the circumstances, is understandable,” Borges said, “but not adequate based on needs.” The Manhasset school district is getting a small increase in operating aid – from $4.5 million to $4.52 million, or 0.61 percent. But Rosemary Johnson, the district’s deputy superintendent for business, said the schools are ultimately getting $2,000 less than the previous year Continued on Page 59
PHOTO BY REBECCA KLAR
Richard Ventura, a Floral Park Memorial senior, was honored before the Sewanhaka Board of Education meeting, along with other student-athletes, for being All-County in soccer. See story on page 4.
Herricks picks Keegan as high school principal B Y R E B E C C A K L A R as part of her Catholic Youth the interim principal since AuWhen Joan Keegan walks through the halls of Herricks High School this year, it won’t be a fresh start but rather a homecoming. Though Keegan’s career with Herricks began in 1987 as a health and physical education teacher, her relationship with the district dates back to her childhood – when she competed on the Herricks track
Organization’s track and field team. ! “I remember walking up the hill and thinking this place is great,” Keegan said. “Never knowing one day I would actually be hired to teach here.” Keegan, currently the principal of Herricks Middle School, will assume her new position as Herricks High School principal on July 1. She succeeds James Ruck, who has been serving as
gust 2016. Keegan is no stranger to the high school, though. Before starting as the middle school principal in 2010, Keegan was an assistant principal at the high school for eight years. Before that, Keegan served as the district’s director of physical education, athletics and health. Keegan’s career spans alContinued on Page 71
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