Serving Great Neck, G.N. Plaza, G.N. Estates, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock and Thomaston
HarborFest 2024
PROUDLY PROUD Y PRESENT
S
The Annu An al Floral Park
TREET T FEST S IVAL
FRIDAY, JUNE 7TH • 5PMOn Tulip Avenue! from Verbena 10PM
Avenue to Plainfield
Face ace painting • Balloon
Avenue
Art • Food, Fun & Giveaw ays
● Live Bands ●
DJ’s ● Fabulous Dining • Outdoor se seating ● Local merch ant shopping indoor & outdoor ● See the Startin ting g Gate ffor the An Annua nuall Belmont ● Belmont Park Starting Gate
HARBORFEST, FLORAL GREAT NECK GIRLS GOLF TEAM WINS COUNTY TITLE PARK STREET FAIR A FUN FAMI FAMIL F LY L Y EVENT FOR ALL A AGES GES!!
t io n , Fo r m o r e i n f o r m a p le a se sca n t h e co d e b e lo w
SCAN
ME!
PAGES 15-46
PAGE 66
Gulf remains in per pupil spending
TRUMP ENDORSES D’ESPOSITO PAGE 8
HONORING VETERANS
$20K difference between districts continues even after state aid changes BY C A M E RY N O A K ES The disparity in North Shore school districts’ spending per pupil is projected to continue next school year, with a more than $20,000 difference between the highest and lowest spending districts, according to an analysis by Blank Slate Media. The average spending of all the school districts per student is expected to rise for the next school year, surpassing the state average and New York City average by thousands. A slew of financial pressures exacerbated by rising insurance costs and inflation plagued nearly every school district this recent budget season. These rising costs were compounded by threats of school districts seeing drops in their state foundation aid for the first time. While districts’ foundation aid was reinstated by the state, many still reported not receiving the full amounts they had anticipated. But school districts’ rankings for spending per student remained nearly the same from the 2023-2024 school year to 2024-2025. The range of spending tops out at $47,627 per student and falls as low as $25,233.
In each of the town’s 11 school districts, spending per student is based on student enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year provided by New York State and the district’s adopted budgets for 2024-2025. The Town of North Hempstead’s 11 school districts will spend an average of about $36,523 per student. For 20232024 the average was $35,425. The New York State average is estimated at $33,404, according to The Empire Center, a nonprofit think tank. In 2022, the most recent year with national figures available, national spending per student averaged $15,633. This was the highest year-toyear increase as well, rising by 8.9% from 2021, which averaged $14,358 per student. New York State nearly doubled the national average in the 2021-2022 school year with spending at $29,873 per pupil. New York City, which has just one school district, is projected to spend $31,256 per student in 2024. This is below the average spending per student on the North Shore by more than $5,000. Continued on Page 64
CAPTION: PHOTO COURTESY OF DONALD PANETTA
The Great Neck Scouts from Girl Scout Troop 626 and Boy Scout Troop 10 placed 135 American flags at the final resting place of veterans buried at the All Saints Cemetery.
Forum on antisemitism at colleges sparks criticism BY C A M E RY N O A K ES A forum questioning whether Jewish students should pursue higher education amid the wave of antisemitism on campuses has sparked
B L A N K S L AT E M E D I A P R E S E N T S
TOP BUSINESS
LEADERS OF NASSAU COUNTY NETWORKING AWARDS EVENT
criticism claiming it will incite fear, but the organizer contends the discussion is intended to ease fears that already exist. The forum panelists include local officials, all of whom are Repub-
licans. This has also drawn criticism, with one resident questioning why no Democrats are involved and referring to it as a platform for Republicans to tout themselves. Continued on Page 65
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024 LEONARD’S PALAZZO OF GREAT NECK - 6:00PM