Support school budgets in Seaford, Wantagh, Levittown

Tuesday marks the annual school budget vote, and it’s an important day for local taxpayers. With school costs making up a majority of homeowners’ property tax bills, it’s a vote that no one should take lightly.

We encourage residents of the Wantagh, Seaford and Levittown school districts to get out and vote, and to support their school spending plans. We believe all three are well planned and will advance education in our communities.

Staying the course in Seaford

Last year, all the talk in Seaford was about bringing back programs and staff positions that had been cut in previous years. This year, it’s more about maintaining the status quo. We’re glad to see that through good financial planning, the district was able to ensure that those restorations weren’t simply one-year deals.

The district’s proposed $65.3 million budget falls below the tax cap while supporting the quality of education that Seaford residents have come to expect. There are also a few budgetary enhancements, such as the addition of a varsity bowling team and new science materials for the elementary schools. The proposal also addresses technology and building upgrades.

Going forward, we’d like to see the district start using the nearly $5 million it received from the Seaford Avenue School sale to offset costs, and perhaps create a spending plan that keeps taxes flat. It could also be used to address some needed building repairs without having to hit up taxpayers.

Nonetheless, the proposed 2016-17 budget is good for students and good for homeowners. We urge residents to vote “yes.”

Taxes down in Wantagh

It’s not often that you see a budget that cuts taxes while enhancing programs, but that’s exactly what’s on the table in the Wantagh School District. The proposed $76.2 million spending plan actually reduces the tax levy by about $100,000, which is enough to make at least a small impact on individual homeowners.