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Friday, June 10, 2022
Vol. 7, No. 23
Port WashingtonTimes COL. WILKERSON GUIDE TO SUMMER, TRUSTEES RACES IN MANORHAVEN, SANDS POINT TALKS SECURITY STREET FAIRS PAGES 23-54
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Racial disparity in state aid for N. Shore schools Smaller % increase for districts with high minority enrollment BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z This is the third in a series on North Shore school districts The figures were selected from the state Legislature and compared with demographic and enrollment figures from the state’s Education Department. The average 2022-23 state aid for the 11 school districts was $14.3 million, with the Sewanhaka School District receiving the most at nearly $57.9 million and the East Williston School District having the least at $5.5 million. The boost in state aid for the 11 public school districts on the North Shore is part of a record $457 million in extra financial aid for all Long Island public school districts included in the state’s budget, which was approved in April. The cumulative rise in the 11 school districts is larger in percentage terms than the cumulative 16.52% increase for all Nassau County school districts. The average amount of 2022-23 state aid increases for the 11 public school districts throughout the North Shore of Nassau County is more than 21%, a figure higher than the increases for the four districts whose minority enrollment is higher than their white enrollment, according to an analysis conducted by Blank Slate Media. The four school districts whose
2020-21 minority enrollment was greater than their white enrollment are Great Neck, Herricks, New Hyde Park-Garden City Park and Sewanhaka. Minority enrollment is comprised of black, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and other non-white students, according to the state’s Education Department. Great Neck’s white enrollment made up 42.8% of the district, according to the figures, while its cumulative minority enrollment made up 54.4%. Herricks’ white enrollment was 22.5% while its minority enrollment made up 75.9%, according to the figures. New Hyde Park-Garden City Park’s minority enrollment made up 75.6% of the district, while its white enrollment made up nearly 22%. Sewanhaka had minority enrollment of 68%, while white students made up 30.6% of the district, according to statistics. Despite Sewanhaka leading the analyzed districts in total state aid, it also led the districts in total enrollment with 8,003 students. The $9.6 million, or 20%, increase Sewnahaka is scheduled to receive in state aid from the 2021-22 school year was only the fifth-highest throughout the analyzed districts. Great Neck is set to receive more than $12 million in state aid for the 2022-23 school year, a 14% increase from the previous year, which is the third-lowest increase among the Continued on Page 61
PHOTO BY STEVEN KEEHNER
Port Washington’s Harborfest returned to the peninsula last weekend.
Port Washington residents celebrate HarborFest’s return BY ST E V E N K E E H N E R After a two-year hiatus, Port Washington residents celebrated the return of HarborFest Sunday. The 30th anniversary of the yearly celebration, which takes place from lower Main Street to the Town Dock, was also recognized. Visitors
could choose from over 70 vendors, visit the craft workshops or enjoy entertainment at the “Family Fun Stage.” Bobbie Polay, executive director of the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce, said the excitement of the day was palpable. Despite the two-year pause because of Covid-19,
she emphasized how the festival did not miss a beat in size or attendance. “I am looking at these faces, and they’re just so happy to be here and it’s very gratifying. There’s such a great town feeling, [residents] love HarborFest,” Polay told Blank Slate Media. “It’s great for the kids. It’s Continued on Page 60
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