East Rockaway, Lynbrook say yes to budgets

Voters in East Rockaway and Lynbrook said yes to their school districts’ proposed budgets, but Lynbrook residents nixed Proposition 3 -- the $4.6 million athletic complex that was proposed to serve the district’s sports teams.

East Rockaway’s proposed $34.32 million spending plan was approved with a vote of 714 to 540. Proposition two, which included technology updates for the students, was given a nod with a vote of 726 to 354, and Proposition 3, which will help with improvements and upgrades to the schools, was approved 661 to 384.

“I want to thank the community for coming out to vote and for supporting the budget and the propositions,” said East Rockaway Superintendent Roseanne Melucci. “We will continue to work hard to serve the children of this district.”

School board members Linda Schmidt and Neil Schloth, who ran unopposed, garnered 718 and 697 votes, respectively. Schmidt and Schloth serve as the board’s president and vice president.

Lynbrook

Lynbrook’s proposed $72.8 million school budget was approved by residents with a vote of 1384 in favor, and 948 against. Proposition 2, which will allow technology upgrades at the schools, was passed with a vote of 1416 to 895. The residents, however, said “no” to the controversial proposal of a $4.6 million athletic complex with a vote of 939 for the proposition and 1390 against. The complex would have included an artificial turf field, an all weather track, bleachers, lockers, restroom facilities, lights, scoreboard and a concession stand.

“We’re delighted that the budget has passed, and that students will have all opportunities for next year,” said Superintendent Dr. Santo Barbarino. “We thank all the people that worked hard for that to happen.”

Ellen Marcus won a second term on the school board, receiving 973 votes. Her challenger, newcomer Christine Basile got a commendable 843 votes.

Alicemarie Bresnihan, a school board member for more than three decades, ran unopposed and took 1,338 votes.