Serving Roslyn, East Hills, Roslyn Estates, Roslyn Harbor, Roslyn Heights, Greenvale, Old Westbury and North Hills
$1.50
Friday, March 22, 2024
Vol. 12, No. 12
GUIDE TO SPRING
DALIMONTE, DeSENA CLASH LAFAZAN DROPS OUT OF DEM PRIMARY SENATE RACE ON TOWN OPERATIONS
PAGES 21-28
PAGE 2
PAGE 11
Nassau faces school state aid decline North Shore districts see drops in funding for first time since 2007 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 SuperintenContinued on Page 38
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROSLYN SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Roslyn Middle School Spotlight Drama Club hosted performances of Annie from March 7 to March 10. See story on page 37.
Roslyn Estates cell tower decision pushed B Y T A Y L O R H E R Z L I C H determination will be pushed to the the northeast corner of the building The Roslyn Estates Board of Trustees pushed their final decision on the proposed installation of additional cell antennas by Dish Wireless in the town to April 15. Board members were set to finalize their decision during a meeting March 18, but due to the sudden death of the village clerk and treasurer, Michael Tomicich, and unforeseen additional documents from village residents’ lawyer, the
meeting in April. Roslyn Estates residents have been arguing against the new cellular antennas for months. Dish Wireless cellphone service is proposing to install wireless communications equipment on top of the building at 1044 Northern Blvd., which already houses cellphone antennas for three other cellphone service providers. Dish is proposing three sets of two antennas, with two located on
and one on the southeast. Dish Wireless has modified its plans since the initial public hearing in November to address residential complaints, according to Daniel Patrick, the attorney representing Dish. The new plans includemoving equipment to make it less visible from the south side of the building, where residential homes are located, Patrick said at a Jan. 22 meeting. But village residents are still Continued on Page 39