Herald Endorsement

Say ‘yes’ to Franklin Square spending plan

Posted

In the Franklin Square Elementary School District, the proposed budget-to-budget increase for 2016-17 is 1.42 percent, or just over $520,000, to $37.2 million, and the tax levy increase remains at zero. We praise the Franklin Square school district for not raising taxes while maintaining the types of programs that produce top level students in the district.

Franklin Square also has a capital project proposition on the ballot. The district is asking residents to establish a $10 million capital reserve to address several key construction projects, including upgrading the HVAC and electrical systems, asbestos abatement, construction of new classrooms, and bathroom renovations. The reserve would be funded by existing fund balances and future budget savings.

These improvements are vital to making the Franklin Square district a better place for its students, and we encourage voters to approve both the spending plan and the proposition.

Open seats uncontested

West Hempstead resident Louis Curcio is running unopposed for a seat on the Franklin Square district Board of Education, as board President Joseph Armocida has chosen not to run for another term. Curcio, 38, has a daughter in kindergarten at John Street School, and will also bring his expertise as both a certified public accountant and attorney to an already stellar group of community leaders.

Board member Jerome Monaco has decided not to run for another seat as well. Franklin Square resident Stephen Toto is running unopposed for the vacated seat. Toto has two sons in the district and is a principal in the South Huntington School District.

We urge voters to support both candidacies.

The Franklin Square budget presentation can be found by clicking this link: http://www.franklinsquare.k12.ny.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_3011123/File/Budget%20Presentation1617.pdf

Correction 5/12: This article previsouly stated that the Franklin Square school district tax lexy increase was 1.78 percent. That was incorrect. The correct figure is zero. There is no tax levy increase.