New trustee, budgets OK’d

A new trustee was elected to the Lawrence Board of Education on Tuesday.

Heshy Blachorsky defeated Asher Matathias, 1,281 to 407, to fill a seat filled for the last nine years by Uri Kaufman, who is stepping down when his term expires in June.

Lawrence district voters relected Trustee Abel Feldhamer, who defeated first-time candidate Matthew Russo, 1.299 to 641.

Voters approved next year’s $98.5 million budget, $3.1 million larger than the current budget, 1.139 to 373. It expands student offerings, including such technology programs as 3-D printing and computer coding, and will increase the tax levy by 1.5 percent.

Hewlett-Woodmere voters approved a $113.6 million  fiscal plan, 1,169 to 488. Its 1.4 percent tax levy increase is the lowest in district history, and the $1.67 million, 1.49 percent budget increase is the smallest in 12 years. The budget includes money for additional special-education staff.

A proposal to establish a capital reserve fund  for long-range building improvements was also approved, 1,072 to 425.

Hewlett-Woodmere incumbent trustees Melissa Gates, Dr. Jonathan Altus and Stephen Witt all ran unopposed, and garnered 1,317, 1,229 and 1,224 votes, respectively. Terms for both district’s trustees are three years. 

The Hewlett-Woodmere and Peninsula library budgets were both approved, by counts of 1,223-400 and 1,187 to 299, respectively. 

The Hewlett-Woodmere budget totals $6.246 million, an increase of $52,574 over current spending. Peninsula’s new fiscal plan of $3.157 million is less than $40,000 larger than the current budget.

Library trustees also ran unopped. Hewlett resident Leslie Eisenberg was elected to the Hewlett-Woodmere library board, collecting 1,228 votes. Audrain Gray, of Inwood, also ran unchallenged for a seat on Peninsula’s board, and received 494 votes. Both terms are  five years.