On May 20, residents of the Westbury School District voted 1,070 to 839 in favor of a $98,724,521 spending plan for 2008-2009, ending two consecutive years of failed budgets and a string of rejected first go proposals over the past six years.

Of the total approved 2008-2009 spending plan, which is a $7,195,072 or 7.86 percent budget-to-budget increase over the current year's contingency budget of $91,529,449, school officials estimate that 29 percent or approximately $28.6 million would be offset by state aid; taxpayers are responsible for 65 percent. As a result, the average homeowner's annual school tax bill will be around $7,548.62, a $263.98 increase over this year's average bill of $7,284.63.

Passage of the $98.4 million spending plan marks only the second time in six years that residents approved the district's spending plan on the third Tuesday in May. Both the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 spending plans were rejected by voters as were 2003-2004, 2004-2005 the first time around; the 2005-2006 budget, which was failed initially, passed on revote.

In regard to the passed budget, Westbury Superintendent of Schools Dr. Constance Clark said, "The community's support of the budget certainly validates the accomplishments our students continue to make in terms of improved test scores, graduation rates and overall academic achievements and for that we are exceptionally grateful." Dr. Clark added, "The public's vote of confidence allows us to continue to provide our students with innovative educational programs and extracurricular activities that will give them the skills necessary to become successful, productive citizens we can all be proud of."

In the race for the Westbury Board of Education, four candidates sought election to two at-large seats. Incumbent Adelaide Brinson was re-elected and newcomer Laura Pierce was elected to the seat being vacated by Connie LoCascio. Votes were cast as follows: Pierce, 1,091; Brinson, 961; Rocco Lanzilotta, 951; and Stan Ercolano, 790. As of press time, however, Lanzilotta, who lost by 10 votes, was seeking a recount and had obtained an attorney to contest the election.