A relative few decide for all

Voter turnout was slightly larger for this year’s budget and Board of Education elections May 18, though school officials are still seeking ways to increase participation in the future.

Just 6.2 percent of registered voters in District 30 — 731 out of 11,800 — came to the polls last week. The district’s assistant superintendent for business, Ed Cullen, said that percentage is on par with previous years, and consistent with other districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

In District 13, turnout was closer to 10 percent, with 2,128 out of about 23,000 registered voters casting ballots on the budget. District 24 did not have the number of registered voters available, but school officials said that the budget newsletter was mailed out to more than 4,800 households. A total of 846 people voted there.

Jim Lavery, president of the Valley Stream Council of PTAs and a newly elected member of the District 30 board, expressed his disappointment with the turnout in Valley Stream last week. “The numbers speak for themselves,” Lavery said. “I would like to see that change. I think people know what’s happening every May.”

District 13 saw the biggest increase in voter turnout, with an additional 250 people visiting the polls. In District 24, 56 more people came out, and there was a 30-voter improvement in District 30.

Dr. Edward Fale, superintendent of District 24, said the rainy weather likely kept some people away from the polls. He also suggested that the low turnout could be a sign of voter satisfaction, especially in District 24, where the budget included a tax decrease.

“It’s concerning because it also could be a sign of general apathy,” Fale said, adding that there were no contested races for school board seats, even though three were in play. When there are challengers for the Board of Education, voter turnout is usually higher, he explained.

Darlene Adams, co-president of the William L. Buck School PTA, said there was a phone chain the night before the budget vote to remind parents to go to the polls. She also said that every school in District 24 hosted an exhibition of student work that evening. “That way, we get the parents in the school,” Adams said, “and the booths are right there when they walk in.”

District 30 Superintendent Dr. Elaine Kanas said that budget newsletters were sent to each home before the vote, with detailed information about the proposed spending plan, as well as where and when to vote. She and Cullen also did a budget presentation at each school’s PTA meeting. “We do a lot,” Kanas said, adding that the district promotes its voter registration dates prior to the budget vote.

Still, she said, she would like to work with the Board of Education to find ways to increase voter participation. It is especially important, she said, because she wants children to learn the importance of democracy. “That’s the best way to model for children the right that everyone has,” she said, “to have their voice heard by casting their ballot.”

The District 13 Board of Education began discussions on Election Night to find ways to boost turnout. President Joseph DiSibio said that although weather had some impact on the numbers at the polls, there is a concern with the overall trend. “I think we’re always concerned with low voter turnout,” DiSibio said. “It’s certainly something we’re going to look into.”

Frank Chiachiere, vice president of the District 13 board, found another number even more troubling. Although about 250 more people than last year voted in the district, the budget garnered fewer than 40 additional “yes” votes. Chiachiere noted that the spending increase was less than 1 percent.

“I think that’s the discussion I want to have,” he said, “why there were 200 more negative votes when we came in at .85 [percent increase]. I just don’t want to guess.”