Under Cuomo’s proposed preliminary state aid figures that were released in January, East Rockaway would lose more than $250,000 in aid, due in large part to a $400,000 reduction in “high tax” aid, which the state has traditionally given to districts with higher costs and property tax rates. According to Tannenbaum, high tax aid acts as an equalizer between upstate and downstate districts, with much of it going to schools on Long Island.

“Full restoration of our state aid will enable us to present a school budget that meets the tax levy cap with no cuts in programming,” said Kristin Ochtera, president of the school board after returning from Albany. “Our community and our children deserve that.”

Ochtera said that she hopes the efforts of the locally elected politicians will be successful. “Our district’s fate is in their hands now,” she said.

While configuring the budget, Tannenbaum said that the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy was not factored in. The district is still awaiting word for how much it will be on the hook for, but needs to find out how much the insurance company, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state will pay. “There will be a small local portion,” Tannenbaum said. “We don’t know how much that will be yet so it’s very difficult to plan for that at this time.”

The budget advisory committee will host its next meeting on April 8 where further updates to the budget will be made. Also, the state budget must be finalized by April 1, which could bring a change in aid.

Once the board adopts the proposed budget, residents will head to polls on May 21 to cast their votes.