Serving New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Garden City Park, North Hills, Manhasset Hills and North New Hyde Park
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Friday, May 24, 2024
Vol. 73, No. 21
N E W H Y D E PA R K
GUIDE TO SUMMER
PRO PALENSTINIAN RALLY AT COUNTY LEGISLATURE
BLAKEMAN TRANS BAN STRUCK DOWN
PAGES 21-28
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Hassan ousted, $141M Herricks budget OK’d Bono defeats trustee, Quraishi prevails in field of 5 for school board BY TAY L O R H E R Z L I C H
Board members said the largerthan-usual budget increase was due Maria Bono, a former teacher and in part to the cost of settling child sex active PTA member, defeated incum- abuse claims against the district. When the board adopted the probent Trustee Brian Hassan with 63% of the vote, Northwell physician Shaheda posed 2024-2025 budget, the district’s Quraishi defeated five challengers for original state aid projection was $27 seats on the Herricks Board of Educa- million. According to the administration and a $141 million budget was ap- tion, state aid will provide around 20% proved with 63% of the 2,590 votes on of total district revenues in the 20242025 budget. Tuesday. Rutkoske said the disHassan, who lost trict willreceive $100,000 his seat to Bono, received 874 votes. See additional school more in state aid under the elections news recently approved state Challengers Eric budget than under Gov. Lo, Ravinder Ratra, PAGE 2 Kathy Hochul’s initial proRussell Stuart, and posal. Surendra Gupta lost “I also feel it’s important that to Quraishi, receiving 569 votes, 473 votes, 288 votes, and 184 votes, re- people on the board, that there’s a turnaround and new blood,” Bono prespectively. Bono, who won election to the viously told Blank Slate Media. “Curboard with 1,502 votes, is a former rently, we have five members that have New York City school teacher. She has been there for 12 years, plus. And none lived in Albertson for 22 years. Bono of them have children on the board and has three children who have graduated I think that’s important as well in order from the district and one who is cur- to be relevant and be able to connect with the community.” rently a 10th grader. Bono later acknowledged that she Residents approved the 2024-2025 misspoke and one member has been budget with a 1,632 to 958 margin. The $141,710,364 2024-2025 bud- there for only seven years. Bono said she has been highly inget represents a 5.2% increase from the volved in the district for 20 years, in2023-2024 budget of $134,719,970. The tax levy increase is 2.38%, cluding acting as the president of nearContinued on Page 37 which is within the state tax cap.
PHOTO BY TAYLOR HERZLICH
Protestors march outside of Rep. Anthony D’Esposito’s Garden City office. See story on page 8.
Vincent ousts prez Kierez, FP-Bellerose budget OK’d B Y T A Y L O R H E R Z L I C H $2.3 million from the 2021 Capital istrator who lost to O’Donohue, reNewcomer Michele Vincent defeated Board President Beth Kierez, Board Vice President Jaclyn O’Donohue defeated newcomer Linda Grein for seats on the Floral Park-Bellerose Board of Education and the district’s $39.5 million budget was approved with 71% of the 1,602 votes on Tuesday. The budget was approved 1,133 to 469. A proposition to expend up to
Reserve Fund for building improvement projects, including part of the boiler conversion project and HVAC replacement systems. was also approved with 77% of the 1,587 votes Both Vincent and O’Donohue defeated their challengers by more than 200 votes with 57% of the vote each. Kierez, who lost her seat as president, received 641 votes while Vincent won with 862 votes and Grein, a former school teacher and admin-
ceived 658 votes while O’Donohue won with 862 votes. “I will continue to advocate for equity within the district. While progress has been made, there continues to be noticeable inequities between the two schools,” Vincent previously said in a statement. “I will work tirelessly to align the two schools even further while maintaining the traditions unique to each school.” Continued on Page 38