Cast your ballot for Bellmore-Merrick school budgets

It’s an easy call to endorse the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s 2016-17 budget, which comes in at a little more than $147.7 million. 

For starters, district officials stayed within the state-mandated 2 percent tax-levy cap, as they have since the cap was enacted in 2011. Moreover, the district’s three high schools and two middle school continue to outperform the majority of schools across the state. 

At the same time, other similar school districts spend considerably more to educate their children. In all, Bellmore-Merrick spends just under $24,000 a year per pupil. Meanwhile, Jericho spends $36,600; Hewlett-Woodmere, $33,100; and Plainview-Old Bethpage, $28,800. 

Voters will find the budget as Proposition 1 on the ballot. They will also find Proposition 2, a proposal to create a capital reserve fund for the Central District that cannot exceed $10 million over 12 years. Such a fund is critical. It’s a rainy-day reserve that allows the district to make necessary repairs to buildings. We all know that keeping our schools in top shape is vital to providing the very best education.

Residents should also vote for their local elementary district budgets. The Central District would be nothing without the solid educational foundation that each of the four districts –– Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore and North Merrick –– provides. And, as is the case at the high school level, per-pupil spending is kept to a minimum.

Where and when to vote

          Voting will take place at the following locations and times on Tuesday, May 17:

         • In the Bellmore School District: Shore Road Elementary School, 2801 Shore Road, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

         • In the Merrick School District: Levy-Lakeside Elementary School, 21 Babylon Road, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

         • In the North Bellmore School District: Newbridge Road Elementary School, 1601 Newbridge Road, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

         • In the North Merrick School District, Fayette Elementary School, 1057 Merrick Ave., 2 to 10 p.m.