Hewlett-Woodmere Voters Voice Support for $105M School Budget

Lousy weather didn’t keep civic-minded residents from turning out for Tuesday's vote for the Hewlett-Woodmere school budget, a reserve proposal and an elections for future members of the Board of Education.

Residents of School District 14 cast their votes at the Woodmere Educational Center for a proposed budget of $105,785,000 for fiscal year 2012-13, a 2.7 percent increase over last year. According to the district, 88 percent of the increase is due to unfunded county and state mandates.

The tax levy of 1.91 percent, coming in just below the tax cap of 2 percent, is the lowest increase in years. The district claims that even with the modest increase, it will be able to maintain virtually all services and programs. One change will come in the form of a slight reduction in staff, which includes two administrators, two teachers and 11 other positions.

“I was glad they were able to put together a budget that was below the tax cap, although I know it’s very difficult for them to do that," said Jane Berzner of Woodmere. "I would have supported it even if they went above the tax cap, rather than cut programs for our children.”

Voters were also asked to consider a repair reserve fund proposition for school facility repairs. 

“I voted yes for the budget and the proposal,” said Howard Freedman of Hewlett Harbor. “I have four children who went to these schools, so I want to be fair to the next generation.”

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Voters also cast their ballots for three open seats on the school board. The four-person race includes Fred Usherson, running as an independent, and incumbent Stephen Witt, Jonathan Altus and Melissa Gates running as a team.

“I’m going to vote for Melissa Gates and her whole team,” said Linda Kreisman. “And I’m voting yes to the budget, because I think it’s very fair. It’s a great school district, and I hope everybody supports it.”

Hewlett resident Alfred Lapp said he wasn’t concerned about the tax increase, because the district has to compensate for inflation.

“And for the election, I’m voting for Stephen Witt, who has done an outstanding job all these years,” he said.

Quite a few voters weren’t familiar with the candidates, including David Nieber of Woodmere.

“To be completely honest, I have no idea who those four people are,” Neiber said. “I have two little kids, so I’m voting in favor of the budget for sure, even though they probably waste half the money.” 

Although the majority of voters approved of the budget, there were many who voted against it, including 73-year-old Neil Sirignano, a 31-year resident of Hewlett and former teacher.

“Everyone wants to give to the kids, but what about senior citizens?” Sirignano said. “Seniors can’t afford to live here anymore, but not enough of them come out to vote. All the residents who have young kids in the schools vote ‘yes’ for the budget. The two highest things are pensions and salaries. I pay over $13,000 for a plot of land that’s 50 by 100. With taxes like that, I can’t sell my house. Who would buy it?”

Hewlett resident Steven Ostrin, a former teacher in Brooklyn, said that he moved here years ago because of the quality schools and top-notch teachers. However, he is concerned about the high taxes.

“I have two kids in school [here], and my biggest issue is superintendents’ salaries. We need to chop off some of that money and put in back into the classrooms, after-school activities and sports," he said. "The chancellor of the New York City system covers 1 million kids. Here, you have a superintendent making three times that salary with only 2 percent of the students. The disparity is sickening.”