Herald Editorial

Vote ‘yes’ on Hewlett-Woodmere school budget

Posted

The proposed Hewlett-Woodmere School District budget includes a 2.95 percent year-to-year increase, but that is attributable mostly to a $1.5 million jump in employee benefits and an increase in transportation costs of nearly $817,000. The addition of several clubs, however, is a prime example of serving student needs.

Also on the ballot, the district is requesting to use $3 million from the Hewlett-Woodmere Long Range Capital Reserve Fund to complete a window replacement project at Hewlett High School.

The budget and the window project will both tangibly improve the district. We encourage residents to approve both propositions on Tuesday.

Elect Greebel, Simon and Critti to the board

Four candidates are running for three seats on the Board of Education: Trustees Mitchell Greebel and Daniella Simon, and newcomers Paul Critti and Asaf Fligelman, who is also running for the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library board.

While Fligelman would be a positive influence on the board and shine a different light on issues, the incumbents, Greebel, for the past six years, and Simon, in her first three-year term, have proved their value to the community and helped steer the board effectively. Greebel remains involved even though his children are no longer attending district schools, and Simon has four children in Hewlett-Woodmere schools and is a Hewlett High graduate.

Critti has served as president of the district’s Special Education PTA. He is a former New York City police officer, and his background would be a great addition to the board, especially with school safety being a vital issue.

The Herald endorses the candidacies of Critti, Greebel and Simon.

Slansky for library trustee
The proposed 2019-20 Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library budget is $6,567,446, an increase of $137,425 over the current spending plan. A majority of the increase — $100,000 — will fund repairs of the building. The budget will be used to provide the best services to the community.

The three library board candidates are Asaf Fligelman, Jonathan Simon and Cheryl Slansky. All three are worthy candidates for five-year terms, but with a background in corporate finance and a strong familiarity and affection for the facility, Slansky edges out her opponents.

Both the library budget and Slansky deserve voters’ support on Tuesday.