Port Washington Seeks OK For Budget Above Tax Cap

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Eight people are running for three seats on the Port Washington Board of Education.

Trustees Adam Smith, Adam Block and Nanette Melkonian are seeking re-election. They are being challenged by Sandra Alvarez, Teodora Choolfaian, Michael Bitalvo, Elizabeth Weisburd and Joseph Delerme.

The League of Women Voters is hosting a School Board Trustees Candidates Forum Thursday at Paul D. Schreiber High School. It starts at 7:30 p.m.

District officials seek voter approval at the polls Tuesday for two financial propositions.

Proposition 1 is the $194,578,217 spending plan for 2024-25. The tax levy of $161,546,663 exceeds the statutory tax levy increase limit of 3.39 percent, and therefore exceeds the state tax cap and must be approved by 60 percent of the votes cast.

A second vote will be held on June 18 if the vote May 21 does not garner 60 percent approval.

District officials said a budget requiring only a majority vote would require $1.78 million of staffing and programming to be eliminated from the budget. A twice-defeated budget results in a contingent budget that requires over $7 million to be removed, which would result in the dismantling of programs and increased class sizes, district officials.

Proposition 2 asks voters to approve spending $4 million from the school district's pre-established capital reserve fund entitled “Facilities Improvement Program 1 - Port Washington UFSD” to be used to upgrade and improve district-wide incoming electrical service. It has no affect on the current tax levy.

The polls are open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 21 at Weber Middle School.