Serving Great Neck, G.N. Plaza, G.N. Estates, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock and Thomaston
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Friday, March 22, 2024
Vol. 99, No. 12
GUIDE TO SPRING
DALIMONTE, DeSENA CLASH LAFAZAN DROPS OUT OF DEM PRIMARY SENATE RACE ON TOWN OPERATIONS
PAGES 21-28
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School districts grapple with state aid plans
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T O P G R A D U AT I N G S T U D E N T S
Administrators blindsided by drops in foundation aid for first time in history BY C A M E RY N O A K ES North Shore school districts are seeing drops in foundation aid for the first time since the state funding was introduced in 2007-2008, with many calling the governor’s proposal showing sweeping increases in state aid misleading as districts face budget challenges. The New York State Assembly has now proposed a budget countering the governor’s that reinstates the lost foundation aid sought by local school districts. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2025 budget proposal includes $35.3 billion in state school aid. This is an increase of $825 million from the prior budget, or a rise of 2.4%. The $825 million proposed increase from budget to budget encompasses a $507 million increase for Foundation Aid – the state’s main education operating aid formula that is based on equity. The remaining $318 million increase is attributed to all other school aid programs. The 2025 budget proposal comes in the wake of the 2024 budget’s $3.1 billion increase in school aid – a historic rise in the state that amounted to a 10% increase from the prior budget. New York State spends the most per pupil in the country. State aid spending
per pupil has also continuously risen over the years, only seeing a dip in 2021, according to the Empire Center, with spending projected to continue increasing over the next four years. Empire Center calculated that 185 New York districts, about a quarter, were in the top 5% for spending per pupil nationally. A majority of districts were in the top 10%. Under Hochul’s proposal, a majority of North Shore schools are proposed to receive an increase in state aid. But school districts have called the governor’s proposed school aid increase misleading, with districts seeing drops in their foundation aid for the first time and funds allocated to them that they are unable to use. Foundation aid began as the state’s equity-based funding source for school districts, intended to alleviate disparities between districts. The New York State aid formula for schools is based on factors that evaluate enrollment, student need and district wealth. Foundation aid was implemented in the 2007-2008 school year, with different state aid offerings provided before. But hold harmless initiatives have been in place for state aid funding since 1976, Manhasset Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Sam Gergis said. Continued on Page 38
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREAT NECK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Great Neck Public Schools announced the valedictorians and salutatorians of its 2024 graduating class. Named as valedictorian are North High’s Zachary Hyman and South High’s Lillian Lin. The district’s salutatorians are North High’s Jonathon Sander and South High’s Kira Nguyen.
Shemesh ousts Smiley in Estates trustee race BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Challenger Lilia Shemesh ousted incumbent Michael Smiley in Great Neck Estate’s sole race for trustee Tuesday night, beating Smiley with 55% of the votes, 198 to 159. Shemesh, an alternate on the village’s zoning board, was elected to serve a one-year term as a trustee of the village. Smiley was appointed to the
board last year. The villages of Great Neck Plaza, Kensington, Saddle Rock and Thomaston also held elections Tuesday night, none of which were contested. The four villages saw all candidates elected. Great Neck Plaza’s Mayor Ted Rosen, Trustee Pamela Marksheid and Trustee Michael DeLuccia were all re-elected to serve another fiveyear term on the village’s board.
Rosen received 228 votes, while DeLuccia and Marksheid received 214 and 207 votes, respectively. Rosen was first elected to the village’s board in 1985. He served as the village’s deputy mayor from 2000 until he was elected as mayor in 2020. Rosen said he will continue to focus on supporting the village’s downtown, maintaining fiscal reContinued on Page 39