School budgets pass in East Rockaway, Lynbrook

Voters in East Rockaway gave their school district’s proposed 2014-15 budget of $37.3 million the go-ahead on Tuesday by a vote of 613-254. The spending plan is 1.23 percent larger than the current budget of $36.8 million, and includes a 1.73 tax levy increase. Because the district stayed below the state tax cap, the budget needed only a simple majority to pass.

Incumbent school board Trustee Neil Schloth garnered 554 votes, and newcomer Keith Gamache collected 508. Both candidates ran unopposed.

“Thank you to the East Rockaway community for supporting our budget,” said Superintendent Lisa Ruiz. “The Board of Education and administration worked diligently to develop a fiscally sound budget within the tax levy cap that continues our many excellent programs while adding a number of enhancements which will further support our students’ achievement. Congratulations to Neil Schloth on his re-election, and welcome to Keith Gamache as our newest board trustee.”

“I’m thrilled the budget and all of our propositions passed,” said Board of Education President Kristin Ochtera. “The support from the community is overwhelming, and we appreciate the validation of the work we are doing in the district. My sincere thanks goes to Mrs. Ruiz and Dr. [Joan] Colvin” — the district’s interim director of finance — “for their leadership, as well as the district administrators for the innovative planning.”

Propositions 2, 3, 4 and 5 also passed.

Lynbrook voters also approve budget

The proposed $77.2 million Lynbrook school district budget for 2014-15 was approved by voters on Tuesday by a count of 867-411.

The spending plan is 1.35 percent larger than the current budget, and the tax levy increase is 1.46 percent.

“I would like to thank the community for supporting programs we have put forth in the budget for our students,” said Superintendent Melissa Burak. “The voters’ support is very much appreciated by all of us.”

Propositions 2 and 3 also passed. They asked for voters’ approval to use $300,000 of the $1.1 million in the Technology Replacement Fund, and a little over half of the $4.5 million in the Capital Reserve and Renovation and Improvement of Facilities Fund will be used to replace the boiler at the high school, add air conditioning in the general purpose room at South Middle School, and resod the athletic field at North Middle School, among other projects.

Neither proposition will have any effect on the tax levy.

Alicemarie Bresnihan, who was running for her 14th term as a Board of Education trustee, received 705 votes. Ellen Marcus, who was seeking a third term, collected 751. Both women ran unopposed.