Legal Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, ANNUAL BUDGET VOTE AND DISTRICT ELECTION OF LAWRENCE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 15, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing of the qualified voters of the Lawrence Union Free School District No. 15, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York shall be conducted on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 8:00 p.m., at Lawrence High School, 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst, NY 11516 for the transaction of business as authorized by the Education Law, including the following items:

1. To present to the voters a detailed statement (proposed budget) of the amount of money which will be required for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
2. To discuss all the items hereinafter set forth to be voted upon at the Annual Budget Vote and Election to be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting pursuant to Education Law of the State of New York and acts amendatory thereto.

Following the Public Hearing, a Special Meeting of the Board of Education shall conduct such other and additional business as may come before it.  The Board may entertain a motion to enter executive session. At such meeting, such matters as may lawfully be considered may be acted upon by the Board. Public comments may be submitted to BOE@lawrence.k12.ny.us.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that there will be a vote and election by the qualified voters of the Lawrence Union Free School District No. 15, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. at the four (4) school election districts indicated below, for the purpose of voting upon the appropriation of necessary expenditures of the 2024-2025 school year to elect two (2) members of the Board of Education and one (1) member of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library at which business will be transacted as required by law, including a vote on the following propositions, as well as any other propositions which may properly come before the electorate:

PROPOSITION NO. 1  - SCHOOL BUDGET

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Lawrence Union Free School District No. 15, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, be authorized to expend the sum of One Hundred One Million Nine Hundred Nineteen Thousand Seventy Seven Dollars ($101,919,077.00) for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, and is further authorized to levy the necessary tax for the above purpose upon the taxable property of the School District, after first deducting the monies available from State Aid and other sources.

PROPOSITION NO. 2  - LIBRARY BUDGET

RESOLVED, that the sum of Three Million Three Hundred Fifty Six Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy Nine Dollars ($3,356,979.00) be appropriated for the Peninsula Public Library for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and that said amount be raised by tax upon the taxable property of the Lawrence Union Free School District No. 15, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, pursuant to § 259 of the Education Law, and be levied and collected in the same manner as are other general taxes, after first deducting the monies available from State Aid and other sources.

PROPOSITION NO. 3 - 2024 BUILDING CAPITAL RESERVE FUND CREATION AND EXPENDITURE AUTHORIZATION

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Lawrence Union Free School District No. 15 is hereby authorized to establish a Building Capital Reserve Fund pursuant to §3651 of the Education Law (to be known as the “2024 Building Capital Reserve Fund”) and expend funds from such Reserve for the purpose of financing reconstruction, renovation, equipping or purchasing of the following: 1) Districtwide: purchase new trucks, cars and lifts, new backhoe and equipment trailer, landscaping equipment, snow removal and related equipment, curb and sidewalk maintenance; 2) Lawrence Primary School at Number 2 School, 1 Donahue Avenue, Inwood, NY 11096: rebuild storage buildings, replace garage doors; 3) Early Childhood Center at Number 4 School, 87 Wanser Avenue, Inwood, NY 11096: rebuild and secure façade on parapet wall; 4) Lawrence Middle School, 195 Broadway, Lawrence, NY 11559: additional classroom renovation Phase VII and VIII, replace window and door lintels, point brick, caulk windows, courtyard foundation walls (waterproof and install drainage), new tennis courts and track, parking lot (repair drainage system and repave); 5) Lawrence High School, 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst, NY 11516: gymnasium renovation (HVAC, locker rooms, weight room and bathrooms, floor and ceiling, new gymnasium roof), music rooms and administrative offices renovation, waterproof foundation. The ultimate amount of such Reserve is not to exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00), plus interest and earnings thereon. The probable term of such Reserve is to be ten (10) years, but such Reserve shall continue in existence until liquidated in accordance with the Education Law or until the funds are exhausted. The sources from which the funds shall be obtained for such Reserve are unappropriated fund balances made available by the Board of Education from the 2023-2024 budget.

PROPOSITION NO. 4  - 2025 BUILDING CAPITAL RESERVE FUND CREATION AND EXPENDITURE AUTHORIZATION

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Lawrence Union Free School District No. 15 is hereby authorized to establish a Building Capital Reserve Fund pursuant to §3651 of the Education Law (to be known as the “2025 Building Capital Reserve Fund”) and expend funds from such Reserve for the purpose of financing reconstruction, renovation, equipping or purchasing of the following: 1) Districtwide: purchase new trucks, cars and lifts, new backhoe and equipment trailer, landscaping equipment, snow removal and related equipment, curb and sidewalk maintenance; 2) Lawrence Primary School at Number 2 School,1 Donahue Avenue, Inwood, NY 11096: rebuild storage buildings, replace garage doors; 3) Early Childhood Center at Number 4 School, 87 Wanser Avenue, Inwood, NY 11096: rebuild and secure façade on parapet wall; 4) Lawrence Middle School, 195 Broadway, Lawrence, NY 11559: additional classroom renovation Phase VII and VIII, replace window and door lintels, point brick, caulk windows, courtyard foundation walls (waterproof and install drainage), new tennis courts and track, parking lot (repair drainage system and repave); 5) Lawrence High School, 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst, NY 11516: gymnasium renovation (HVAC, locker rooms, weight room and bathrooms, floor and ceiling, new gymnasium roof), music rooms renovation, administrative offices renovation, waterproof foundation. The ultimate amount of such Reserve is not to exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00), plus interest and earnings thereon. The probable term of such Reserve is to be ten (10) years, but such Reserve shall continue in existence until liquidated in accordance with the Education Law or until the funds are exhausted. The sources from which the funds shall be obtained for such Reserve are unappropriated fund balances made available by the Board of Education from the 2024-2025 budget.

SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES

To elect two (2) trustees of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term commencing July 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2027. Incumbents: Heshy Blachorsky and Abel Feldhamer

LIBRARY BOARD TRUSTEE

To elect one (1) trustee of the Peninsula Public Library for a five (5) year term commencing July 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2029. Incumbent: Reva Oliner

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the election shall be held in accordance with the Annual Meeting and Election Policy and Candidate and Campaigning Policy adopted by the Board of Education.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that nominations for the office of trustee of the Board of Education and office of trustee of the Library Board, shall be made by petition subscribed by at least 25 qualified voters of the district, and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the District located in Lawrence High School, 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. not later than April 19, 2024, at which the trustees shall be voted upon.  Such petition shall state the residence of each signer and shall state the name and residence of the candidate and the specific vacancy on the Board for which the candidate is nominated, which description shall include at least the length of the term of office and the name of the last incumbent, if any.  Each vacancy shall be considered a separate office, and a separate petition shall be required to nominate a candidate to each separate office.  No person shall be nominated for more than one separate office on the Board of Education.  However, a nomination may be rejected by the Board of Education if the candidate is ineligible for the office or declares his/her unwillingness to serve.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that any proposition or question to be placed upon the voting machines shall be submitted in writing by petition subscribed by at least 250 qualified voters of the district and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the District between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. no later than April 19, 2024 at which such question or proposition shall be voted upon, except that this rule shall not apply to those questions or propositions which are required to be stated in the published or posted notice of the meeting or to those propositions or questions which the Board of Education has authority by law to present at any annual or special meeting of the District.                         

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the condensed form of the budget proposition and the text of all other propositions to appear on the voting ballot and a detailed statement of the proposed budget, in writing, of the amount of money which will be required for the school year 2024-2025 for school purposes, specifying the purposes and the amount for each, will be prepared and copies thereof will be made available upon request, to any resident in the district at each schoolhouse in the district, during the period of fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the Annual Budget Vote and District Election of May 21, 2024 (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., on the district website Lawrence.org and at the polling locations on the day of the election.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the accurate description of the boundaries of the election districts is available for inspection by any qualified voter together with a map of the district in the Office of the District Clerk at Lawrence High School, 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst, New York, during regular school days by appointment only.  The four (4) sites designated for voting in each election district are as follows: Primary School at Number Two School, 1 Donahue Avenue, Inwood; Lawrence Middle School, 195 Broadway, Lawrence; Lawrence High School, 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst and the Atlantic Beach Village Hall. 

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that registration of voters shall take place at the office of the District Clerk located at, 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst, New York, on school days between September 5, 2023, and May 16, 2024, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., during which times any person shall be entitled to have his/her name placed upon such register provided that he/she is known, or proven to the satisfaction of the District Clerk to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the Annual Budget Vote and District Election for which such register is prepared.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to Section 2014 of the New York State Education Law or pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law.  If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to Section 2014 of the New York State Education Law and has voted at any annual or special district meeting within the past four (4) calendar years, such voter is eligible to vote at this election; if a voter is registered and eligible to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law, such voter is also eligible to vote at this election.  All other persons who wish to vote must register no later than May 16, 2024.  Those wishing to register to vote should visit https://www.dmv.ny.gov/more-info/electronic-voter-registration-application in order to do so online.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Chapter 258 of the Laws of Section 2008, Section 495 was added to the Real Property Tax Law and requires the School District to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report.  Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted, identify by statutory authority, and show: (a) the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that personal voter registration of voters, not previously registered and eligible to vote, will take place between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on May 7, 2024, at the Office of the District Clerk.  Such persons must present himself or herself personally for registration during the time and place set forth, in order to be entitled to vote.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the final date to register for the 2024-2025 Annual Budget Vote and District Election is May 16, 2024, in the office of the District Clerk, at which time any person shall be entitled to have his/her name placed upon such register, provided that he/she is known, or proven, to the satisfaction of the District Clerk, to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the Annual Budget Vote and District Election for which such register is prepared. 

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the register shall be filed in the office of the District Clerk where it shall be open for inspection by appointment only, by any qualified voter between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on each of the five (5) days prior to the day set for the election, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots and early mail ballots may be obtained at the Office of the District Clerk and on the district website Lawrence.org.  Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk in the District Clerk’s office not before April 21, 2024. If the ballot is to be mailed to the voter the application must be received before May 14, 2024.  If the ballot is to be hand delivered, the application must be received by the District Clerk in the District Clerk's office the day before the election.  If the ballot is to be hand delivered, it must be received by the District Clerk in the District Clerk’s office by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the election. A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the Office of the District Clerk on each of the five (5) days prior to the day of the election excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Lawrence Union Free School District 15 may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk by mail to the Office of the District Clerk, 2 Reilly road, Cedarhurst, New York 11516, or by email to the District Clerk at mbharaj@lawrence.k12.ny.us, or fax sent to 516-812-6639.  In such request, the military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application by mail, fax or email.  A military voter must return the original military ballot application by mail to the Office of the District Clerk at 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst, New York 11516.  In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 25, 2024.  Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under §2018-a of the Education Law.  The application for military ballots may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax or email.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, a military voter’s original military ballot must be returned by mail to the office of the District Clerk at 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst, New York 11516. Military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before 5:00 p.m. on May 21, 2024 showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on May 21, 2024 and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election. 

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that this Board shall convene a Special Meeting in the Lawrence High School within twenty-four hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot for the purpose of examining and tabulating said reports of the result of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot; that the Board hereby designates itself to be a set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law, §2019-a, subdivision 2b at said Special Meeting of the Board.   

By Order of the Board of Education

Lawrence Union Free School District No. 15

Ms. Mohinder Bharaj, District Clerk

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