School Board Contacts Legislators Over GC’s Low State Aid Numbers

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School Board Contacts Legislators Over GC’s Low State Aid Numbers

Written by Melissa Argueta: margueta@antonnews.com Friday, 06 April 2012 00:00

At the most recent Garden City School Board meeting, School Board President Colleen Foley announced that with the help of Trustee Angela Heineman, the board drafted a letter that was sent to local legislators Senator Kemp Hannon, and Assemblymen Edward Ra and Thomas McKevitt requesting that Garden City’s state aid be increased to equal that of comparative districts.

Trustee Tom Pinou, read the letter to the audience stating that Garden City schools (like many schools on Long Island) rank among the best in the nation. “In order to preserve and continuously improve the educational programs that are not only valued by the community, but also used as models for other districts, our fellow residents have supported school budget increases to make up for shortfalls in state funding,” said Pinou.

Since 2007, Garden City’s state aid allocation has been reduced by $1,249,453 or 21 percent. “Despite the significant contribution of our residents to the NYS tax revenue, the Garden City School district receives only $4.4 million or 4.4 percent of its budget from state aid sources.”

Due to higher regional costs in the Long Island area, this means that one dollar of state aid purchases only 65 cents worth of goods and services. “These factors render the current allocation of state aid patently unfair,” Pinou added.

The letter requests that legislators address deficiencies in the foundation formula that deny high performing, high tax districts like Garden City its “fair share” of state aid.

“Per seethroughny.net, Garden City’s state aid per pupil ($1,371) is not only substantially less than the New York State average (approximately $4,300), but also less than all of our comparator districts in Nassau County,” according to the district.

To read the full letter written by the board of education, see the Garden City School District’s Question of the Week in this edition of Garden City Life.

News

Friendship Circle Luncheon Turns 10

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Kroplick and Kammerer honored

On May 8, more than 500 fashionably dressed women converged on the Garden City Hotel for the Sid Jacobson JCC’s tenth annual Friendship Circle Luncheon. Notable celebrities on hand were Good Day New York co-host Rosanna Scotto, who was also the event’s MC, and singer/actress Megan Hilty from the Broadway play Wicked and NBC’s hit drama Smash, who entertained the ladies with her favorite songs from both shows.

The Friendship Circle Luncheon was started 10 years ago by Denise Silverberg, as a way to raise money for programs providing support for adults in their 30s, 40 s and 50s that are afflicted by Alzheimer’s. Silverberg’s mother has the disease, so she understands firsthand the role of a caregiver and the stresses involved in taking care of someone who has it.

Revised HUB Transportation Study

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Deputy Mayor Nicholas Episcopia attended the HUB Stakeholders Meeting held by Nassau County’s consultants on the Transportation Project. He was joined by EPOA President Judy Courtney, Vice President Chris Mullaney, and Director Leo Stimmler, as well as William Bellmer, a member of the Garden City Planning Commission, Dorothy Episcopia, past EPOA president, and former mayor Robert Rothschild. Bob Schoelle and Brian Ridgeway attended the afternoon session. Garden City is a stakeholder because a large portion of the village lies within the defined HUB area.

As presented, the currently preferred alternative transportation plan appears reasonable and eliminates the construction of a light rail system that would run from the Mineola Station, south behind Arthur Street, and east along the spur adjacent to St. James Street South, as was initially proposed. Nonetheless, as we have consistently done over the years, we will continue to monitor plans for the transportation project and strongly express our opinion if we believe any aspect of this project would be detrimental to the quality of life in Garden City.

Sports

Almost Perfect

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Boys JV lacrosse team goes undefeated

The Garden City JV lacrosse team finished the year with a stellar 14-0-1 record. Led by Head Coach Tom Flatley and Assistant Coach Brett Hepworth, the Trojans overpowered most of their opponents with explosive offensive bursts, tough-nosed gritty defense, and rock-solid goaltending. The offense averaged over 15 goals per game, while the defense allowed just over three goals per game.

The season commenced with a hard fought, triple overtime thriller against Syosset that ended in a 7-7 tie. As the team became more cohesive, most of the next few opponents, including Hewlett, Lynbrook, Carey, Roslyn, Kellenberg, and others, found themselves overmatched against this Trojan team. However, that did not dissuade Ward Melville from putting forth an inspired effort on their home turf for three quarters, before finally falling to Garden City 12-7.

Playing With A Big Stick

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

Defense keys successful lacrosse seasons

The boys and girls high school teams are both rolling and have their sights set on a long run in the playoffs. Both team have faced a number of formidable opponents throughout the season and have successfully navigated their schedules. One thing that has been consistent for both teams has been that their defenses have had to stand tall at key times and shut down very active offenses. Both Coach Finnell and Coach Chapman have made sure that the non-league schedules of their teams will ensure that their teams are prepared for whatever the playoffs can throw at them.

After going the full season last year undefeated, the boys team has three blemishes on their record with losses to powerhouses Ward Melville, Manhasset and LaSalle of PA. With a 9-3 record the Trojans are looking to wrap up the number two seed in the playoffs to force a rematch of the Manhasset game in the County finals. The boys have excelled defensively only allowing 4.25 goals against per game. And if you remove those three tough losses the goals against average drops to 3.1.