With a little more than a month until the budget vote, the Port Washington School Board unanimously adopted a $1.44 million budget for the 2014-15 school year.
Of the budget, which is bigger by 3.79% than last year, Superintendent of Schools Kathleen Mooney said, “What is being proposed is not a long-term solution, but we are working hard to maintain the programs that we have.”
With enrollment growing—currently, the district has 351 students enrolled in kindergarten, whereas last year at the same time it had 340—and new mandates coming in from New York State, the district is bracing itself for what is to come. The budget means there would be a slight increase in school taxes for Port residents, depending on their assessed home values. Residents will vote on it in May.
“We know that the next few years aren’t going to be any easier for us,” said Mary Callahan, assistant superintendent for business. “As we close our discussion on the budget, I want to thank the board for all its hard work. We are doing everything we can to overcome the obstacles put in front of us.”
Frank Russo, an attendee and member of the community, also thanked the board for its work this budget season. “I would like to compliment the board for the wonderful job it did in meeting the tax cap,” he said.
In other developments, after searching for more than a year for a principal for Daly Elementary School, the district finally announced they had named someone to the post. Sheri Suzzan, currently the director of creative arts in the high school and a teacher in the district for 26 years, was chosen.
“This is something that has taken a great deal of time,” said Karen Sloan, president of the board of education. “Daly is going in a great direction and we are so excited to see that continue.”
Suzzan thanked the board for the appointment. “I am extremely excited,” she said. “As you all know, I put a great deal of thought into even asking you to consider me for the position, but I am so excited to be welcomed back to Daly, now as the principal.”
