Hempstead school budget passes; Johnson, Williams take school board seats

With the promise of hefty support from government aid, Hempstead's bulky school budget got a strong "yes" from voters. Propositions 1 and 2 also passed, guaranteeing major capital improvements. In the eight-candidate race for two school board seats, Lamont Johnson was voted continued his nine-year presence as a trustee, and educator Joylette Williams will join the board for the first time.

Proposition 1, which passed 481-229,  authorizes the district to bond $44.2 million for improvements at six schools including roofing, infrastructure and the high school athletic complex. State building aid will pick up 98.5% of the funding.

Proposition 2 passed 463-212,  authorizing the district to bond $42.3 million for renovations and a new building at the Alverta B. Gray Schultz Middle School. Though state aid will pay for only 27.9% of the funding,  residents will not pay the other 72.1% through a higher tax levy. Instead, debt payments on prior projects that are nearing their conclusion will now  be applied to the middle school renovations. 

The tabulated results of the school board trustee votes ran as follows: 

Lamont Johnson (362), Joylette Williams (295), Beverly Moore (255), Gwen Jackson (223), Robert Harris (121), Victor Pratt (113), Larry McCloud (81) and Peggy Perkins (61).