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Friday, March 18, 2016

THE PULSE OF THE PENINSULA

Vol. 91, No. 12

$1

Guide to Great Neck

special a blank slate media

section • march 18,

GUIDE TO GREAT NECK

MAGANO TOUTS ECONOMIC FUTURE

OFFICIALS RALLY FOR 6TH PRECINCT

PAGE 25

PAGE 6

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2016

Preliminary school budget calls for cuts

THEIR BIG BREAK

Ed board proposes teacher, employee layoffs to balance 2016-17 finances B y J oe N ikic The Great Neck Board of Education unveiled a $218,927,365 preliminary budget for the 201617 school year on Monday that calls for a $2,229,611 increase in spending over the current budget, but still requires a reduction of 14 teaching positions as well as 21 other employees to stay under the under the district’s .17 percent state-mandated tax cap. Board Vice President Larry Gross said after hiring 24 new fulltime positions last year the district would need to reduce the number of teachers by 14 in the 2016-17 school year. “There will be an impact on district operations but it will not directly reduce our ability to present needed programs for our children,” Gross said. “Any further cuts would affect program.” District Assistant Superintendent for Business John Powell said that in addition to cutting the number of teachers 21 non-teaching

positions would also need to be eliminated to keep the budget under the cap. These employees include one full-time administrative staff member, nine paraprofessionals, three full-time and three part-time clerical staff members, one buildings and grounds department supervisor and four cleaning attendants. “We do understand there is a personal nature of any cut and would like to minimize that in conPHOTO BY © 2016 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com tinuation of the district’s history of constructive human resources acThe Frankel Sisters moved on to the final around of the Gold Coast Arts Center’s Your Big tions,” Gross said. Break competition after surviving Saturday’s semifinals. See story on Page 27. Monika Azab, one of four cleaning attendants who work at the district’s secondary schools, called for the board to reconsider laying off her and three other female cleaning attendants, noting that the cuts would only apply to female attendants. “I ask myself why am I one of the dismissed from my position if not believe a lack of challeng- Mayor Susan Lopatkin, who B y J oe N ikic I do the same work as the men?” ers meant residents cared less received 45 votes to win reAzab asked. “You can say my posielection, said it could be looked Tuesday’s election saw all Continued on Page 50 15 incumbents win re-election at as a positive that incumbents faced no challengers. in six Great Neck villages to ELECTION 2016 “The take away is that their respective Board of Trustresidents are likely happy with ees seats. how things are being run and Even though all of the feel their concerns are adraces were uncontested, some about village government. Village of Kensington Continued on Page 56 village mayors said they did

Incumbents retain seats in uncontested elections

For the latest news visit us at www.theislandnow.com D on’t forget to follow us on Twitter @Theislandnow and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow


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