School Vote 2018: Malverne's Budget And BOE Candidates

On May 15, voters in the Malverne School District will cast their ballots for the school budget, Board of Education candidates and two ballot initiatives.

The district's proposed 2018-19 budget is $57.1 million, an increase of about $1.6 million from the current spending plan. It has a tax levy increase of 2.75 percent, which is within the district's tax cap limit.

Like many districts, Malverne is putting a renewed focus on security, and the budget reflects that. Part of the monies will be spent on security upgrades in the district, including an advanced entry system for staff and containment areas at each school's entrance.

There is one seat on the Board of Education open this year, for a four-year term. Incumbent Marguerite O'Connor is not running for reelection. Newcomers Martine Santos and Laura Avvinit are facing off to fill the vacancy.

Residents will also have the chance to vote on two ballot initiatives. The first would authorize the district to spend $1.6 million from the Capital Reserve Fund on field work throughout the district, site improvements and the purchase of a new bus. The money in this reserve cannot be used to offset the tax levy.

Malverne residents will vote on a second proposition on the purchase of property. The district is looking to purchase and improve a parcel of land the Davison Avenue School. The district says this proposition would have no additional cost to taxpayers.

The vote will be held from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Howard T. Herber Middle School gym.

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