North Shore budget passes

The North Shore School District community voted in favor of the district’s $111.6 million spending plan for the 2021-22 school year on Tuesday, though voted down the Capital Reserve Fund. The budget passed with 1,771 yes votes and 1,754 no votes. The capital reserve failed in a vote of 1,798 opposed and 1,560 in favor.

Lisa Colacioppo was the top vote getter for a seat on the Board of Education, with 1,807 votes, followed by Maria Mosca with 1,753 votes. The two women defeated candidates Paul Puskuldjian, who garnered 1,684 votes and Anthony Stanco, with 674 votes. The new trustees will be sworn in at the board’s reorganizational meeting in July.

The 2021-22 budget 1.2 percent larger than the current budget, and includes a 1.43 percent increase in the tax levy, the maximum allowed under the state tax cap.

The spending plan, according to Superintendent Dr. Peter Giarrizzo, addresses pandemic-related variables, maintains class sizes, continues the implementation of the 2018-23 Strategic Plan and preserves all educational programs, athletics, art and extracurricular activities.

Proposition 2 would have established a Capital Reserve Fund not to exceed $8.3 million for infrastructure projects including field lighting at the high school, the installation of artificial-turf fields at schools throughout the district, wellness centers for the high school and middle school and the replacement of a track surface, among others.