Schools

Massapequa to Decide on Budget and School Board

Voters will consider $179 million budget and vote for two board members.

Massapequa voters head to the polls Tuesday to consider a proposed $179 million budget for 2011-12 and to elect two members of the school board. 

The spending plan, which was by the school board on April 14, includes a 1.72 percent spending increase. But the tax hike will only be 1.64 percent. 

One of the reasons the tax levy was because of the district's use of  often called rainy day funds to offset the spending increase.

Find out what's happening in Massapequawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

District officials said they made a point of keeping the tax levy below two percent in anticipation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed  two percent tax cap.   The uncertainty in Albany was on the minds of many during budget season,  particularly in light of to the district.

But the issue of whether the spending cuts have been enough has dominated the debate over who should fill the two open seats on the board.

Find out what's happening in Massapequawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Incumbent candidates , the current board president, and trustee face challengers and . 

Perrino and Ryan have touted the district's record on long term financial planning and have argued that the district, which has about 8,000 students, has the lowest spending on a cost-per-pupil basis in Nassau County.

Bennett and Hoops have countered that the district has the highest number of administrators per student on Long Island. They would consider cutting the number of administrators  and would like to freeze or roll back their salaries.

The two candidates who receive the most votes out of the four on the ballot will wins seats on the board.

All four attended a night, where they spoke about the increasing tax burden for residents and the challenges of keeping the proper amount of funding for programs in the current economic environment.

The candidates have also spoken before school and civic groups and at campaign

One group that has tried to exercise influence in the election is the newly-formed . They have been supporting Bennett and Hoops and their stated goal has been to lower taxes.

Taxes have been  of many area , who also believe the district needs to maintain programs despite the expense. 

We'll find out which ideas will win the day Tuesday, and it could be a dramatic night. In 2008, Ryan won her first term defeating Bennett by just one vote.

Bennett appealed to the commissioner of education for a recount and eventually lost a court challenge.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at four locations: The Main campus of , as well as , and  Elementary Schools.


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