Vote ‘yes’ on Hewlett-Woodmere budget

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Louis Frontario succeeded Dr. Peter Weber as assistant superintendent for business in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District last July, and has maintained the district’s solid financial footing with a modest 0.95 percent spending increase in the proposed $116.5 million budget.

For the second consecutive year, the tax levy — the amount of money the district raises through local property taxes — will not be raised.
The one blip on the fiscal radar was the state comptroller’s audit released this year.

Between July 1, 2012, and May 31, 2016, district officials overestimated three budgets by a total of $31.1 million. We believe the district will rectify this problem and adhere to the state’s mandated 4 percent limit for reserves.

Taxpayers are being asked to vote on two other propositions. One would allow the district to spend a total of $14.1 million for heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades at Hewlett High School; improving the field and installing parking lot lights, bleachers and storage at Woodmere Middle School; adding a PlayScape and undertaking a library media center upgrade at Ogden Elementary School; replacing windows at the Franklin Early Childhood Center and the Woodmere Education Center; and wiring Hewlett and Ogden elementary schools for technology.

The other proposition would authorize the district to establish a new capital reserve, not to exceed $40 million over 10 years, for renovations and improvements in the schools.

We urge voters to support the budget and the propositions on Tuesday.

For trustee, McInnes and May
Scott McInnes and Cheryl May are both running unchallenged for a third three-year term on the Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education. Along with their fellow trustees, both have worked to keep taxes low, reduce expenses and maintain small class sizes where it matters most, at the elementary school level.
We endorse the candidacies of McInnes and May.

Support the H-W library budget
The Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library serves its patrons well, with a wide range of programs and services, including concerts, movies, art shows and Wi-Fi. It is a meeting place for community organizations. That its budget is increasing by only $65,106, to a proposed $6.35 million, is a testament to the administration.
Voters should say “yes” to the library spending plan.

Shari Braverman is running unopposed for another five-year term on the library board. As its president, she has kept the library moving forward, and we endorse her.