Voters in the chose to go with something old and something new in Tuesday's School vote.
They re-elected current board president to a fourth term, while electing to the Board of Education.
Both the school and library budgets were easily approved.
passed by 64 percent, 3,208-1,814. It included a 2.23 percent tax levy increase, which was under the state's new tax cap law. It also included the elimination of 29 teaching positions.
The turnout for the election was a few hundred less than it was
Massapequa Superintendent Charles Sulc said the budget was the result of hard work and appreciated the support it received.
"We developed a good budget...it was a difficult year because of the tax cap," he said. "We have to thank the community for coming out and supporting the instructional program, as well as the extracurricular, athletic, and arts programs of Massapequa...apparently they feel very strongly about them, and a testament to that strength was tonight's vote. It was a very successful vote and we're very thankful to the community for that."
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LaBella garnered the most board member votes with 2,535, while Fisher received 2,333.
and the two candidates backed by the finished third and fourth respectively. Sheffield had 1,948 votes, while Marsh picked up 1,552 votes.
Businessman , the fifth candidate, trailed the field with 956 votes.
Fisher, a longtime PTA advocate is serving her second stint as Board president. It's not known if she will serve again as the vote for president will come at the beginning of the new term in August.
But the incumbent was looking forward to serving another term.
"I appreciate the support of the community...that's who I work for," Fisher said. "I feel really wonderful that they supported me again, for my fourth time on the school board, and I plan to keep on doing what I do best...and that's advocating for the kids of this district."
The Board was guaranteed at least one new member with the retirement of Thomas Caltabiano. And that open seat went to LaBella, who campaigned on bringing the principles he's learned as a business owner to the school board.
"I feel I have a very big responsibility ahead of me," he said. "It's going to be extremely difficult over the next few years to navigate through these difficult economic times, and I'm willing to take on the challenge. And I thank God, I thank my family and I thank the voters for bringing me in here."
Sheffield and Marsh, who hoped to rein in spending and make the district more accessible to the public attended the vote count at Massapequa High School and conceded to their opponents.
"I congratulate the winners," Sheffield said. "The voters voted, and said who they want to represent them, and I just hope they represent all the taxpayers of the district and remember what they jobs are."
Marsh also thanked his backers.
"We appreciate the support that we got from the community," he said. "We gave everybody a choice, and the voters voted. Hopefully they'll get what they're voting for."
Carozza acknowledged that he was, "a little upset because it didn't go well," but added, "I want to thank everybody who helped me, and good luck to the winners."
Those who who did come out to vote had to brave some nasty weather at times as heavy rains moved through the area Tuesday afternoon.
"It's a miserable day for it," said Ann Kevany, who's been voting in these elections since 1960.
Kevany said she believed passing the budget was important for the area. "I really believe this administration is trying to hold the line, she said.
Erica Giventer also said she tries never to miss a vote.
"We need to make sure that class size and teaching in our district remains of the same stature," she said. "and we need to rehire the teachers who lost their jobs."
Bill Byrne, said he supported the budget even though he no longer has children in the district.
"I think I can handle 2 percent," he said, referring to the tax increase.
The vote passed by a 3,390-1,575 margin. Library Board member John Laibach, who ran unopposed received 1,766 votes.
