Wantagh School District Budget Vote Results Announced

WANTAGH, NY — The Wantagh Union Free School District has a new budget. The district announced Tuesday night that the proposed 2020-21 budget has passed. In the race for school board, Adam Fisher was re-elected, along with challenger Tara Cassidy, who unseated current board President Elizabeth Guber.

Vote Totals

Wantagh Union Free School District Budget

• Yes: 2,048 votes
• No: 753 votes

Trustee Election

• Tara Cassidy: 1,715
• Incumbent Adam Fisher: 1,509
• Incumbent Elizabeth Guber: 1,336

Library Vote

• Yes 2,145 votes
• No: 612 votes

Library Trustee

• Kurt Faraczek: 2,277

The vote came as school districts across the state face uncertainty over the amount of state aid they'll receive. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has warned that the economic effect of the coronavirus shutdown could mean much less money available for state education aid. The state will assess and adjust its budget several times in the course of this year. The governor estimated that state aid would be 20 percent lower than promised.

Budget details:

• 2020-21 proposed budget: $81.2 million
• 2019-20 budget: $79.8 million
• Change (in dollars): + 1.4 million
• Change (percent): + 1.8 percent
• 2019-20 expenditures: $54.4 million
• 2018-19 expenditures: $79 million
• 2017-18 expenditures: $76.2 million

School Board

Three people sought two Board of Education seats.

Adam Fisher and Elizabeth Guber were seeking re-election, and Tara Cassidy challenged them. Guber is the board's president and Fisher is the vice president.