Residents Approve Long Beach School Budget

Trustees Dr. Dennis Ryan and Patrick Gallagher racked up the most votes in the Board of Education election on Tuesday, and residents gave a thumbs up to the school district’s budget.

Ryan received 1,833 votes to win a second term on the board and Gallagher, who sought a fourth term, collected 1,726 votes. Challenger Ari Pine garnered 1,016 votes. Both Ryan and Gallagher will serve three-year terms on the board starting July 1.

By an official count of 1,674 votes to 742, residents approved the district’s $118.6 million 2011-12 budget. It is $2.1 million larger than the current spending plan. The new budget increases spending 1.8 percent and represents a 0 percent increases the tax levy, the amount of money raised by taxes.

Voters also supported the Long Beach Public Library’s $3.3 million 2011-12 budget by a vote of 1,715 to 681. The budget is 2.4 percent larger than the current spending plan.

Library Trustees Carol Arnone recieved 1,678 votes, winning a five-year term, and Ira Grushack, had 1,386 votes, giving him a three-year term. Both candidates ran unopposed.

Eugene Colon retired from the board after serving eight years, leaving three years remaining on his most recent term. Fran Adelson decided not to run for reelection after 10 years on the board, leaving a five-year seat open.