Serving Great Neck, G.N. Plaza, G.N. Estates, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock and Thomaston
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Friday, April 22, 2022
Vol. 97, No. 16 6
LIVING 50+
INCREASED AID FOR SCHOOLS
MANGANO GETS 12 YEARS, BLASTED
PAGES 23-26
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Peirez faces challenge to re-election Ex-teacher Emil Hakimi files to run for Great Neck school board spot BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z
protecting the safety and well-being of its students. “These experiences have helped Great Neck Board of Education Trustee Donna Peirez is running for re- me to understand the special families election against district resident Emil of this community, my community, in a unique manner,” Peirez said. “I am first Hakimi. Peirez, who was first elected to the board in 2016 to fill a vacant seat left ECENT SCHOOL BOARD by Monique Bloom, said in a letter to MEETINGS HAVE BECOME Blank Slate Media that protecting quality public education and promoting INCREASINGLY HOSTILE AND transparency throughout the district CONTENTIOUS, CAUSING are her paramount concerns ahead of the May 17 election. A RIFT WITHIN OUR “All parents who live in Great Neck WONDERFUL COMMUNITY. are entitled to a quality education for their children,” Peirez said. “In order Emil Hakimi for our students to continue to excel in school and beyond, we must preserve the creative, innovative and visionary programs we offer and continue to hire and foremost an advocate for children. On their behalf, I am seeking another and retain the best teachers.” Peirez, who previously served as term on the Board of Education to cona teacher at the Lakeville School for tinue championing public education.” Hakimi, who has four children ennearly three decades, said the school district’s “stellar reputation” is the driv- rolled in the district, said in a statement ing force behind many families, includ- that the board’s main focus should be ing her own, to come to Great Neck. on “the pursuit of academic excelHer tenure as a board member has lence.” He said there has been a “shift included helping navigate the district in focus towards social and political Continued on Page 34 through the coronavirus pandemic and
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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREAT NECK SCHOOL DISTRICT
South Middle School’s Science Olympiad team finished in sixth place in a statewide competition. See story on page 12.
VGN unanimously adopts $12.1M budget for ‘22-’23 BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z
The budget increased by 4.2 percent compared with the village’s The Village of Great Neck Board $11.6 million budget for the 2021of Trustees unanimously adopted a 22 fiscal year. Homestead properties, which $12.1 million budget for the 2022are classified as homes with three 23 fiscal year on Tuesday night.
units or less, will be taxed at 2.37 per $1,000 of assessed value, decreasing by almost 7.4 percent from the 2021-22 budget. Non-homestead properties, which are mainly Continued on Page 35
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