Herald Endorsements

Oceanside: Budget and trustees

Island Park: Budget and trustee

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Approve Oceanside school budget

On Tuesday, Oceanside residents will go to the polls to decide on the school budget for the upcoming year. We believe that the $142.24 million spending plan is well allocated, and the tax levy increase of 1.86 percent is needed.

The budget retains all of the staff and protects important programs, including all extracurricular and community activities. This spending plan will serve the district’s students well, and we encourage residents to approve it.

Three easy choices for board

Three sitting members of the Board of Education — President Sandie Schoell, Donald Maresca and Mary Jane McGrath-Mulhern — are all running unopposed. All bring a wealth of experience and specialized knowledge to the board.

Schoell has been a trustee for nine years and president since 2012. Maresca, who was principal of School No. 2 for 33 years, has served on the board since 2002. McGrath-Mulhern, a board member for six years, is seeking her third term. As a practicing attorney, she is the district’s policy wonk. She has two children in district elementary schools.

We urge a vote of approval for all three trustees.

Vote ‘yes’ on Island Park spending plan

In Island Park, school administrators have compiled a 2014-15 district budget that proposes a $421,741 tax levy increase — 1.36 percent, the maximum allowed under the state tax cap.

The spending plan keeps the school staff intact and maintains all current school programs. It includes a cap exemption of just over $750,000 in capital expenditures for continued repairs to Island Park schools damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The 2013-14 exemption was a little over $794,000.

The spending proposal looks logical to us, and we believe voters should give it their support.

Tara Borne for trustee

Incumbent Tara Borne will face no challenger for the open seat on the Island Park school board.

It’s easy for voters to overlook uncontested races, but we encourage residents to show their support for the candidates. Trustees do so much without financial compensation, and often face much criticism. Community members should thank their fellow citizens for their service.