Failing school budgets were a common occurrence on Tuesday when residents went to the polls. The Elmont and Franklin Square School Districts were able to pass their budgets. However, the West Hempstead School District and the Sewanhaka Central High School District were among the vast number of school districts that saw their proposed budgets fail.

Elmont School District

Residents of the Elmont School District approved a $54,974,766 spending plan by a comfortable 935-118 margin.

In a heated race for school board, six candidates ran for three seats. Incumbent Robert Nori held on to his seat defeating Patrick Nicolosi by a 971-929 margin. Challenger Pamela Monteverde defeated longtime board member Carl Termini by a 1,013 to 910 margin. In a race that is as close as you can get, incumbent Lorraine Ferrigno defeated Elsy Guibert by one vote, 973-972.

Sewanhaka Central High School District

The Sewanhaka Central High School District 2004-2005 budget of $119,145,556, the last one under Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Goldstein, who is retiring after 19 years, failed by a 2,812-4,495 margin.

Of the four component districts that make up the Sewanhaka Central High School District, only Elmont voted to pass the budget. Voters of the Elmont School District voted 853-775 to pass the Sewanhaka budget. However, the Floral Park School District voted 561-350 against the Sewanhaka budget; residents of the Franklin Square School District voted 715-623 against the Sewanhaka budget and residents of the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District voted 761-669 against the Sewanhaka budget.

Franklin Square School District

Residents of the Franklin Square School District narrowly passed a $25,709,403 spending plan by a 786-779 margin. In the race for school board, incumbent Joseph Armocida defeated challenger Margaret Murphy and John Randazzo defeated Alan Lahti for the seat belonging to Ken Antoncich, who decided to retire.

West Hempstead School District

Residents of the West Hempstead School District voted against a $42,856,186 budget by a 625-619 margin. Residents did, however, approve the library budget by a 649-554 margin.

In the race for school board, incumbents Davis Whelpley and Martin Kaye ran unopposed, collecting 839 and 777 votes respectively. Incumbent Janice Caufield defeated Douglas Martinez by a 675-557 margin.