School Budget Vote

Budgets pass in Wantagh, Seaford, Levittown

New trustees elected in Levittown, Seaford

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Voters overwhelmingly approved budgets in Wantagh, Seaford and Levittown on May 19, and a pair of new Board of Education trustees were elected.

Continuing a trend, no tax-cap compliant budget has failed on Long Island since the law was implemented four years ago. All three districts were within the cap, and Wantagh proposed a budget that included no tax levy increase.

Wantagh’s taxpayers responded favorably to that proposition, passing the $75.7 million spending plan by more than a 1,000-vote margin. “I wish to thank the Wantagh community for their continued support of our school district’s programs,” Superintendent Maureen Goldberg said. “The approved budget will allow Wantagh to continue to offer our students the highest quality instructional programs, providing not only the resources for academic success, but also a strong foundation for lifelong learning and achievement.”

Voters also approved a second proposition, which will allow the district to spend $2.28 million from an existing capital reserve fund for various repairs, including door and ceiling replacements, science room renovations, new bleachers at Mandalay Elementary School, brickwork repairs and other upgrades.

With the $63.6 million budget passing in Seaford, the district will now start reversing some cuts made over the last half-dozen years. Additions will include two elementary school teachers, a library media specialist, 12 department chairpersons, two special education teachers, the elementary reading and math summer academics, and a full middle school sports program.

“We’re excited that we took a giant leap toward restoring all the programs that have been lost over the last few years,” Superintendent Brian Conboy said, adding that administrators and board members have been hearing calls from the public to build these back programs.

The budget also supports the district’s five-year technology plan, as wireless capabilities will be increased in all four schools.

Levittown’s $201.8 million spending plan passed by greater than 2-to-1 margin. The budget supports the creation of an outdoor science center, the expansion of the elementary inclusion program, additional administrative positions, the purchase of tablets for all ninth-graders and the restoration of third-grade band.

“On behalf of the Levittown Board of Education, administration, staff and students, I wish to express my gratitude for the continued support of our community through their approval of the 2015-16 budget,” Superintendent Dr. Tonie McDonald said. “It is through a supportive school-community partnership that we have been able to create an environment where our students are nurtured, challenged and encouraged to achieve to their fullest potential. This budget also marks the highest passage rate in recent memory.”

Board of Education

The only contested election was in Levittown, where three candidates competed for two seats. Two-term incumbent Ed Powers lost his seat to Marianne Adrian, a vocal opponent of the Common Core assessments.

Kevin Regan, who was first-elected six years ago, retained his seat and was the highest vote-getter of three. “I’m very thrilled,” he said. “I’d like to thank everyone who supported me.”

Regan said he wants to work with his fellow trustees to improve educational opportunities for students in the next three years, including boosting offerings in science, math and technology.

He said he welcomes Adrian to the board and wishes her luck, but conversely, will miss Powers, as the two were first elected in the same year. “Unfortunately,” Regan said, “somebody has to win and somebody has to lose.”

Adrian said she believes her involvement in the test refusal movement helped her cause. In Levittown, more than 60 percent of eligible third- through eighth-grade students did not take the state assessments this year.

She is excited for July, when she will be sworn in. “I do have a strong voice,” she said. “As a strong advocate for public education and our children, I know that I will grow into the role. I am really looking forward to it. I don’t shy away from a challenge.”

Adrian, a parent of three who lives in the north end of the district, said she knows that she has a lot to learn about the volunteer position, and plans to do a lot of reading, listening and asking questions.

Seaford will also have a new board member. Patrick Rail was elected to a three-year term to replace Susan Ruona, who did not seek re-election. Ruona did get a handful of write-in votes.

In Wantagh, Board of Education President Anthony Greco was unopposed and was re-elected to a second term.