RSS 2.0 FeedMay 20, 2011, Bellmore Life
UPDATE - Bellmore & Merrick School Budget and Trustee results
How you voted in the elections.
Merrick and Bellmore residents went to the polls on Tuesday and passed all the budgets presented to them by the school boards.
But in an upset, North Bellmore School District Trustee Nina Lanci lost her seat to challenger John Ferrara. She serves as the president of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Board of Education.
Merrick School District incumbents Sheri Iskendarian (1,096) and Butch Yamali (992) both won, running unopposed, as did North Merrick School District’s Dr. Matthew Kuschner (730). Jonathan Butler (758) of the North Merrick School District also has won as a incumbent, running unopposed.
The Bellmore School District’s jay Breakstone (838) won unopposed for a trustee seat.
The numbers
The 2011-2012 Central High School District budget of $131,355,672 passed by a vote of 3,922-2,675, with a tax levy increase of 5.21%.
The district’s Proposition 2, which asked for authority to spend $2,462,355 for capital improvements, also passed, 4,203- 2,344.
In the Merrick School District, voters said yes 949-663 to a budget of $42,341,991, which will increase the taxy levy 4.89%.
The North Merrick School District passed its $26,813,000 budget 716-525, which will increase its tax levy 3.96%.
Meanwhile, the North Bellmore School District budget of $48,029,117 passed 1,611-936, increasing the tax levy 4.46%.
In the Bellmore School District, voters voted in the $31,503,146 budget 879-551, which will increase the tax levy 3.89%.
Close contest
In a close contest, Nina Lanci, who has been a member of the North Bellmore school board since March 2003 – and its president twice – was defeated by first-time candidate John Ferrara by 17 votes, 1,061, to 1,078. Chris Telano was the lone write in, garnering one vote.
“I’m waiting to see if there are any absentee ballots that come in,” she told Merrick Life of the new role she suddenly finds herself in, that of underdog. “I’m in a holding pattern.”
She said her loss would not change her approach to supporting the best educational programs available for the children of the Merricks and the Bellmores, as she continues to look forward to the future.
Mr. Ferrara told Merrick Life he “thanks all those supporters who helped me during this close race,” and he looks forward to working with the school board to continue to improve programs and opportunities for the children.
He also wished to thank Ms. Lanci for the great work she has accomplished throughout the years, and for her selfless dedication toward the community.
North Bellmore School District Superintendent Arnold Goldstein said approval of the school budgets in the Merricks and Bellmores was gratifying to see, adding that it showed that residents recognized the schools are working hard to solve the monetary challenges they are facing.
“It also shows that residents really have a commitment to quality education here in this community,” and on Long Island.
Of Ms. Lanci’s loss to Mr. Ferrara, he said Ms. Lanci has been an outstanding board member throughout the years, accomplishing many things, and he now looks forward to working with Mr. Ferrara.
