OB-EN School Board Vice President Robin Dando gave a whoop, "Yeah!" after reading aloud the numbers that approved the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District budget for 2007-2008. The budget passed by about 376 votes.

The tally was announced by District Clerk Margaret Nolan. Proposition 1, the $43,666,045 budget passed with 1092 yes votes to 716 no votes.

Proposition 2, to undertake capital improvements from existing funds remaining from previous capital projects will be used to install a new playground and electric sign at the Vernon School; upgrade the OBHS library automation system and install a new one at the Vernon and Theodore Roosevelt Schools; install public address systems at OBHS and the TR School; construct sidewalks and a satellite clock system at OBHS - all at an estimated cost of $503,581.92 was passed with a vote of 1015 to 563.

Proposition 3 passed with 1097 votes to 522. It allows the district to use existing capital reserve funds to install a district-wide security and master lock system estimated at $553,326 - which will be refunded by the state when the work is completed.

Proposition 4, the OB-EN Public Library Budget passed with 1,132 to 473 votes. Library trustee candidate Scott J. Tepper received 1,128 votes.

The seats of incumbent Keith A. Kowalsky and Donald J. Zoeller received 1,071 votes and 1,030 votes respectively. Mr. Kowalsky will serve his second-four year term. Mr. Zoeller now has voter approval after his appointment by the board to fill the remaining term of office of Tim Mietus, who retired because of business commitments. Mr. Zoeller will serve a four-year term.

Before the vote began, Mr. Kowalsky, when asked, said he felt the budget would pass by 300 votes. "It was very open. The budget process was very transparent. We went through everything. It left nothing to debate and discuss and it is giving the kids really good programs that they need. The response from the community has been very, very good. We'll see tonight," he said.

After the vote was counted, Mr. Kowalsky said, "At 1,092 to 716, it's pretty close to what I projected, 300-400, just what I said." It was a great moment to be correct with a guess.

The foyer at the entrance to the Imhof gymnasium wasn't as crowded as at past votes, which was probably a reflection of a budget that most people could okay.

Past board members John Specce and Dan Burke were in the foyer, watching the voting process. Mr. Specce said, "I'm very glad the budget passed. The board did a very good job, keeping the increase to a small amount and I think the public acknowledged that - by supporting the budget."

Mr. Burke said," I'm happy that it passed. It's a credit to the board and to all the community members who participated in the budget process." Mr. Burkes' children, Caitlin, Will and Sharon were there. "This is a civics lesson for them," said the patent attorney. The consensus from them was, "We're glad the budget passed."

"I'm just glad it's all finished and that it all came out so well," said Mr. Zoeller, who was appointed in January and took part in the entire budget process for the first time sitting on the board's side of the discussion. He had been an active participant while being a local resident interested in the process.

Board Trustee Dolores Greico said, "I think that all of the repairs at the schools are long overdue. And - there are such good programs and the kids are so fabulous."

Oyster Bay High School Principal Dr. Dennis O'Hara said, "It's wonderful for our students. Every time the budget passes it allows us to focus all our efforts on teaching and learning." He added, "It's a wonderful place to work and a wonderful place to go to school."

Newly appointed Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School Principal Gina Faust said, "It's wonderful. It's great to have the support of the community and exciting to keep doing the great work we do."

Longtime board member Judith Wasilchuk said, "I'd like to congratulate the candidates. It's always nice when you don't have to run an expensive election campaign - and I speak from experience." Ms. Wasilchuk added, "And as far as the EXCEL program vote - it's great we will get the money back from the state." On the other hand, she commented on the negative vote saying, "I'm kind of appalled that some people voted against something that is at no additional cost to the community. The same with those who voted against the library budget - that is something that serves everyone, of all ages, in the community."

Most of all, she said, "I'm glad we didn't have to re-think the budget. We did a great deal of work on it to get it to the position it is in."

As to his re-election, Mr. Kowalsky said, "I'm really pleased to be able to continue for the next four years, and hope to improve the kid's education even more. And, I thank the community."

OB-EN Superintendent of Schools Dr. Phyllis Harrington said, "I'm really, really happy the budget passed. It was a tight budget and gives the kids the great programs they deserve. I'm very proud of the community and I appreciate all of their support. Our goal now is to use the resources they have given us to best meet the needs of all of our students and to continually improve."

This was the first time Anne Marie Longo sat on the board's side to compile a budget. She too had previously been actively involved in the budget process as a local resident. Ms. Longo said, "I'm very happy for the community and for the school." She said of serving on the board creating the budget, "You get to see all it takes to build a budget and see each facet that you can use or not. The key is to keep it next year, [the momentum of passing the budget]."

Board Vice President Robin Dando said of Board President James Robinson, "It's all under his lead. He's a great president."

Mr. Robinson said, "This was a real vote of confidence from the community. We the board have taken a very conscious approach to control costs and slow our rate of growth of expenses. That coupled with trying to support all of the positive programs and things we are doing well in."

Also attending the vote night was Oyster Bay High School Fine and Performing Arts Department Supervisor Dan Friedman. Mr. Friedman said the photography students were going to use digital cameras to catch the May 18 Relay for Life in pictures that he would put together into a slide show of the event that they would take that midnight.

Robin Dando said on Tuesday night, that the district has already raised a great deal over $100,000 for the cancer fundraiser.

OBHS Assistant Principal Frank Imperiale was also at the vote. He said two of the students, Trevor Collins and Keaton Marotti, who helped create the scenery for Into the Woods have already wowed college admissions people with the quality of work done for the musical. "The tree took a great deal of work," he said. The admissions people were very impressed with the quality of work the students presented to them as a result of working backstage creating the scenery for the Stephen Sondheim musical.

The Locust Valley Central School District voters passed their budget with a vote of 1,039 to 998. It squeaked through with 41 votes. Bayville voters were against the budget with a count of 559 to 489, a minus 70 total that was reduced by yes votes from Brookville voters (117 to 54) and Locust Valley voters (433 to 385) for 63 and 48 yes votes respectively to create the 41 votes needed to pass the budget.

Drivers education was passed at all three voting locations: Bayville with 558 to 435; Brookville with 115 to 52 and Locust Valley with 509 to 295.

The Locust Valley Library operating expenses received 555 to 251 votes. At the Locust Valley Library book sale recently, the Friends of the Library board treasurer was out greeting patrons and thanking them for their support.

Incumbents Joseph E. Madsen received 1,310 votes and Jack Dolce received 1,218 votes and write-in candidate Robert Zaleski received one vote. There were no paper ballots cast.

The voters approved the School District Budget 2007-08 of $63,738,250; the Driver Education 2007 cost of $72,500 and the Locust Valley Library Operating Expenses 2007-08 of $1,316,561.