Gounaris, Zanetti re-elected to board Herricks’

$134.7M budget passes

BY BRANDON DUFFY

Herricks Board of Education President Jim Gounaris defeated challenger Bhajan Ratra to defend his trustee seat as district residents also re-elected incumbent Trustee Henry Zannetti and the budget for the upcoming fscal year. Gounaris, a Manhasset Hills resident, received 850 total votes out of 1,065 compared to Ratra’s 215, or 79.81%.

The president thanked the district for his support and administration for presenting a “student-centered” budget.

“I would like to thank all the voters of the Herricks School District for their support of the budget and for my reelection. I also want to thank Dr. Sinanis and the admin team on putting forth such a thoughtful and student-centered budget,” Gounaris said in a statement to Blank Slate Media. “My vote total serves to afrm my 24 years of dedication, transparency, and continued volunteerism to the Herricks community. It has been my honor over the last 12 years to serve on the Herricks Board of Education delivering positive change, academic excellence, transparency, and continued educational improvement to every member of our community while being mindful of the tax burden shared by our residents. Together we continue set new goals and protect our ever rising educational integrity for all our Herricks families.”

Zanetti, a Williston Park resident who served on the Herricks PTA for over a decade, was frst elected to the board in 2017. He secured re-election with 863 total votes.

Both trustees will each serve a three-year term.

Residents also approved the $134.7 million budget for the 20232024 fscal year.

The budget received 836 votes out of 1,194 total, or 70%.

The budget includes a nearly $9.5 million increase in spending compared to the current year, a 7.5% rise. Excluding pending claims and the associated legal fees, the budget represents only a 5.3% increase, Superintendent Tony Sinanis said during previous budget presentations.

The increase for the tax levy by 1.83%, which is equal to the tax cap determined by the state and falls below the 2% allowable growth factor limit.

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EDITORIAL:

Hyde Park Herald Courier: Brandon Duffy 516-307-1045 x215 • bduffy@theisland360.com

Manhasset Times: Robert Pelaez 516-307-1045 x203 • rpelaez@theisland360.com

Roslyn Times: Cameryn Oakes 516-307-1045 x214 • coakes@theisland360.com

Williston Times: Brandon Duffy 516-307-1045 x215 • bduffy@theisland360.com

Port Washington Times: Cameryn Oakes 516-307-1045 x214 • coakes@theisland360.com