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Friday, May 31, 2024
Vol. 10, No. 22
PPortWashingtonTimes Washington MESITA
HarborFest 2024
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PROUDLY PROUD Y PRESENT
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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
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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
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Gulf remains in per pupil spending $20K difference between school districts continues, average is $36K 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. According to The Empire Center, Long Island school districts are on track to spend the most per student in the state. Continued on Page 64
PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES
Veterans from the American Legion Post 509 carry flags down Main Street during Port Washington’s annual Memorial Day parade. See story on page 2.
Popeleski, Stone face off in Manorhaven race BY C A M E RY N O A K ES
over whether the local government is transparent enough. Stone is looking to bolster transManorhaven Trustee Jeff Stone is challenging Mayor John Popeles- parency at the village level, while ki in a bid for the village’s mayoral Popeleski contends that it is the most seat, with the candidates clashing transparent government to date.
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
The Village of Manorhaven will be holding an election from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. on June 18. Polling will take place at Village Hall, located at 33 Manorhaven Blvd. Continued on Page 65
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