Serving Williston Park, East Williston, Mineola, Albertson and Searingtown
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Friday, March 29, 2019
Vol. 68, No. 13
HEALTH & WELLNESS
INTERFAITH EVENT SUOZZI, KING PRESENT PLANNED FOR MOSQUE IMMIGRATION COMPROMISE
PAGES 37-52
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EWSD budget calls for 2.89% spending rise Trustees say increase will allow district to continue strategic plan BY M AY L A N L . STUDART The East Williston Board of Education’s proposed 201920 budget would raise taxes by $1.48 million from the current year’s budget, the board said in its second budget workshop meeting last week. If approved by the board and residents in a final vote, the new budget will increase by 2.89 percent to $61.7 million compared with the current 2018-19 budget that ends in July. The board said the larger budget will allow the district to continue its implementation of the five-year strategic plan, which is designed to improve services in four priority areas: STEM education, social and emotional learning, facilities and security, and real-world learning. The upcoming budget addresses year two of the plan. Salaries and retirement ex-
penses are by far the largest budget items, making up 58.4 percent of the budget. Employee benefits such as health insurance are the second-largest budget item, making up 19.1 percent. That leaves 22.5 percent for special education (3.9 percent), facilities upkeep (4.3 percent), BOCES (3.1 percent) and all other expenses. The Financial Advisory Committee said it supports the proposed budget and noted in a presentation that employee benefits and transportation expenses increased significantly from the current year, rising 4.4 percent and 3.7 percent, respectively. However, 67 percent of what drove up the costs was mandated by state and federal governments. Local governments must comply with state and federal health insurance, employee retirement, curriculum and bargaining terms, among other mandates. Continued on Page 73
PHOTO BY MAYLAN STUDART
Richard Hradek, 13, (left) wants everyone to know about Growth Mindset and Mineola High School Principal Whittney Smith agrees. Isabella Polanco uses it for her soccer matches.
Mineola student spreads new learning concept BY M AY L A N L . STUDART
has helped them push through everything from becoming better athletes to improving Thanks to a young stu- grades. A documentary titled “The dent, a new initiative has taken Mineola schools by storm: Process: A Year of Growth students say Growth Mindset Mindset at Mineola” that fol-
lows Mineola students and teachers for one year as they implement Growth Mindset in the school district was to be screened Thursday night at Mineola High School. Continued on Page 74
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