PORT WASHINGTON 2024_04_19.pdf

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Friday, April 19, 2024

Vol. 10, No. 16

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ON • APRIL 19, 2024

Port schools S C H R E I B E R D A N C E S H O W C A S E adopt tax hike above cap 4.55% levy increase requires 60% approval vote by community The Port Washington Board of Education adopted its $194.5M budget for the 2024-2025 school year Tuesday night, which includes a 4.55% tax levy increase that exceeds the cap and will require a 60% vote of approval from residents. The total budget amounts to $194,578,217, a $10,312,922 increase from the current school year’s budget — a 5.6% increase. The board vote for the budget was unanimous among those present. Trustees Emily Beys and Rachel Gilliar were not present for the vote. The school district was granted a 3.39% tax levy cap but opted to exceed the cap due to a $1,782,800 gap in its budget funds. The tax increase was crafted to fulfill the revenue gap. The taxes levied by the district are calculated to amount to $161,546,663, which will fund about 83% of the budget. Due to the district opting to exceed its tax cap, the budget needs to be approved by at least 60% of the voters. The election will be held on May 21. If the budget does not garner a 60% vote of approval in May, a second vote will be held on June 18. For the second vote, three budget

options can be presented: the original budget with the 4.55% tax increase, a budget with a 3.39% tax increase that doesn’t exceed the tax cap or a budget with a 0% tax increase. “A contingent budget would look significantly different from the current budget being proposed to be adopted,” Assistant Superintendent of Business Kathleen Manuel said. “This would mean that you would have to cut over $7 million. There would be no transfer to capital, there would be no expenditures on equipment. You would only have ordinary contingent expenses. This would really begin to dismantle a lot of the programs that the community has worked so hard to put in place.” School officials said if voters do not approve the budget they would have to make programming and staff cuts. Only one parent spoke Tuesday night against the tax increase, citing concerns over how it would impact local families. Despite the budgetary challenges, Superintendent Michael Hynes said the adopted budget with the 4.55% tax increase provides high-quality teaching and learning and funds high-priority initiatives. The district estimated district spending under the adopted budget Continued on Page 49

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PORT WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

Schreiber High School advanced dance and choreography students perform their original choreography at the second annual dance showcase.

Flora’s serves ‘a little bit of all around Italy’ in Port BY S A M U E L S C H U LT Z

ra’s Wine Bar and Restaurant is here. Ervis and Gabriella Xhelaj, owners A new Italian eatery has made of Syosset’s Flora’s Pizza Café, have its way to Long Island. For those on expanded their brand, right in the the prowl for an authentic Italian heart of Port Washington. Flora’s Wine Bar and Restaurant dining experience, say no more, Flo-

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takes over the previously vacated spot left by Olive Room Meeting Pointe late last year. The newly renovated 40-seat space is highlighted by brick walls, lit-up wine shelving, Continued on Page 50

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WHO WILL BE THE FAVORITES IN 2024? https://theisland360.com/bonscontest/