East Rockaway's $41.7M school budget passes, Vulpis re-elected to school board

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Voters approved the East Rockaway School District's $41.7 million budget for 2021-22 on Tuesday and elected incumbent Dom Vulpis over challenger Dan Caracciolo to the Board of Education.

"We are most appreciative of the community's support of our budget," Superintendent Lisa Ruiz said, "and are of course thrilled that it passed."

The spending plan was approved, 693 "yes" votes to 212 "nos." Additionally, Vulpis garnered 662 votes, while Caracciolo received 281.  Vulpis, who served as athletic director in the district for 22 years, has been on the board since 2018. 

Voters also approved a proposition enabling the district to use technology reserve funds for projects, 735 to 181. 

The budget is $547,220 more than the 2020-21 spending plan. More than 74 percent of the budget will go toward programs, while over 13 percent is designated for capital projects and more than 11 percent is allocated to administrative expenses. East Rockaway will receive $7.8 million in state aid.

The budget includes a continued focus on security with upgraded cabling for high-definition cameras, replacement of old cameras with high-definition cameras, and the addition of 3M security film in common areas and on classroom doors, the installation of security fencing along the walkway to the front entrance of Rhame Avenue Elementary School, the continuation of the 1:1 tablet initiative for third- through 12th-graders, the addition of Mac computers for high school art programs and an additional oven for the high school.

Additionally, the budget will fund floor replacements in the art room at Centre Avenue Elementary School, continued support for the high school’s summer school program and the Northwell Health Community Mental Health Clinic, and will bring in six new English as a New Language teachers, four math teachers and a literacy coach, along with a large bus, a new driver’s education vehicle and a camera system along with subscriptions to enable streaming of all regular season home games for athletics.