Sunday, May 20, 2012
A weekly roundup of the top headlines from area school districts.
Babylon Village Patch Babylon Village voters on Tuesday approved the 2012-2013 school budget by a 904-340 margin. Read the story on Babylon Village Patch. Deer Park-North Babylon Patch Deer Park High School student Lexxi Saal is moving on to the next round in MSG Varsity's Talent Show, a weekly series featuring the most talented high school acts in the tri-state area. Read the story on Deer Park-North Babylon Patch. Half Hollow Hills Patch Former Mets player William Hayward “Mookie” Wilson paid a visit to West Hollow Middle School Friday to kick off the district’s Relay for Life fundraiser. Read the story now on Half Hollow Hills Patch. Lindenhurst Patch On Tuesday the residents of Lindenhurst passed the proposed $141.7 million budget for …
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Weigh in on the outcome of the board of education election.
West Islip residents voted to reelect two incumbents, current President Steve Gellar and Trustee Michael Zotto, to the Board of education Tuesday. Gellar defeated opponent Glenn Montes by a vote of 1998 to 1126, while Zotto won against challenger Kevin O'Connor by a vote of 1720 to 1408. Patch wants your thoughts on the voter decisions made regarding West Islip's board of education this week. Vote in our poll and comment below. We'll compile results on Friday.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
"West Islip community should recognize and applaud the willingness of all to come together to continue to support quality education," writes Supt. Rick Simon.
West Islip school district Superintendent Rick Simon thanked residents for approving the district's 2012-13 budget in a letter posted on the district's website Wednesday. "Congratulations and thank you to the West Islip community on the passage of the 2012- 2013 budget and to Steve Gellar and Mike Zotto on their reelection to the Board of Education," he said in the statement. Sixty-five percent of voter's cast their ballots in favor of the $110.8 million spending plan, which included the closure of two elementary schools and elimination of 38 staff members. However, overall turnout was down, as roughly 400 less voters came out Tuesday than last year. "This was a very new and difficult budget process given the tax levy cap law and the …
Residents approved $110.8M district spending plan Tuesday.
Next year's West Islip school budget easily passed on Tuesday with a voter approval rate of 65 percent. The $110,880,192 spending plan includes the closure of two elementary schools, the loss of 38 district employees and the elimination of the high school dance program, though it preserves the remainder of curriculum and extracurricular programs. The average taxpayer burden, based on a property assessment of $45,00, will be $14.16 more per month. Are you happy that the budget passed? Why or why not? Answer our poll and tell us in the comment section below.
Elementary kids won raffles, medals during this year's Math, Science and Technology Fair.
Students at Kirdahy Elementary School recently took part in the school's Math, Sciene and Technology Fair. Several medals were handed out to those whose projects took the top spots in the fair. A few students also won special prizes from a raffle.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Residents say yes to the 2012-13 school budget by a vote of 2,173 - 1,180.
West Islip voters passed the $110.8 million school district budget by a vote of 2,173 - 1,180 on Tuesday. By passing the budget, homeowners within the West Islip School District will pay a tax levy of 2.27 percent in the coming year. Also decided in the election, incumbents Steve Gellar and Michael Zotto were re-elected to the Board of Education, defeating challengers Glenn Montes and Kevin O'Connor, respectively. The 2011-12 budget calls for a spending plan of $110,880,192, with a 3.49 percent budget to budget increase. The annual tax increase on a home with an average assessed value of $45,000 will be $14.16 per month or $169.88 per year. However, the approved budget also calls for staff and program reductions, as well as the closure of…
Monday, May 14, 2012
Proposed spending plan and Board of Education elections go before voters Tuesday.
West Islip school district taxpayers will cast their vote on the district's proposed $111 million 2012-13 budget on Tuesday. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. at West Islip High School. The proposed $110,880,192 budget represents a 3.49 percent budget-to-budget increase, or approximate spending increase of $3,736,422. If voters pass the budget as is, it would represent a 2.27 percent tax levy increase. West Islip's proposed budget falls within the 2.27 percent tax levy cap designated under New York State, requiring only a simple majority to pass. Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here. The Budget Initially …
Friday, May 11, 2012
A look at how Michael Zotto and Kevin O'Connor compare on West Islip issues.
On Thursday, Patch compared the view points of Board of Education incumbent Steve Gellar and his opponent, Glenn Montes, as they were discussed during the district's Meet The Candidate Night earlier this week. Now, take a look at how incumbent Michael Zotto and his callenger Kevin O'Connor spoke on the same issues. Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here. We've compiled a chart to compare their views on various hot topics and issues in the community.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
A look at how Steve Gellar and Glenn Montes compare on West Islip issues.
West Islip's Board of Education hopefuls gathered Monday night at West Islip High School to field questions from residents during the district's annual Meet The Candidate Night. Incumbent Steve Gellar and challenger Glenn Montes spoke about their backgrounds, qualifications and opinions on everything from district administrators to school closings. Based on the questions submitted by members of the community, budgets were at the forefront of the public's mind. Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here. We've compiled a chart to compare their views on various hot topics and issues in the community. "We have reduced our …
As the two elementary schools prepare to close their doors to students, share your memories and photos.
As the school year winds down, students, parents and staff in West Islip are preparing to say goodbye to two of the district's elementary schools. Kirdahy and Westbrook, which were chosen by the Board of Education to be closed after the 2011-2012 school year for budgetary reasons and declining enrollment, will shut their doors to students in a few months. RELATED: West Islip Mom Remembers Westbrook Elementary Both schools hold many memories for generations of West Islip students and parents that have grown up in the district, and we're asking our readers to share them with the community. Tell us: What are some of your fondest memories of the two schools? What will you miss most about them? We're also looking for photos from the schools to …
Sam
7:10 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
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