Hewlett-Woodmere Schools Budget Passes, New Member Elected

Mitchell Greebel on Tuesday became the fifth new member of the Hewlett-Woodmere School Board in three years, according to preliminary election results. Voters also re-elected incumbent Harold Kislik and approved a $109 million budget.

“My running four years ago was a watershed moment in this district that living with incumbents wasn’t going to be the norm,” said Greebel, who had unsuccessfully run for the board in 2009. “I didn’t mind being the sacrificial lamb.”

He added, on being elected, “It’s very gratifying, I’m very pleased. There’s a lot of work to do.”

Greebel received 1,541 votes in the at-large election, while Kislik got 1,409 votes. Fred Usherson, who also ran for a seat last year, got 633 votes.

“I’m very grateful to the community for their support, particularly for the budget,” Kislik said. “I’m looking forward to meeting the challenges of the future and working with Mitchell.”

Greebel joins four other members of the board who were elected within the last two years: Scott McInnes, Cheryl May, Melissa Gates and Dr. Jonathan Altus.

The district’s $109 million budget, which will raise taxes by 3.45 percent, passed by 1,295 to 998, or 56.5 percent. Voters also passed, 1,275 to 851, a proposition that will allow the district to set aside $463,360 from the capital reserve fund as a “Technology Replacement Fund.”

School District 14 residents who spoke to Patch said they supported the budget despite the impending increase to their taxes.

“I don’t want to see my taxes go up, but if you don’t support the budget, you can hurt the kids,” said Jeff Schechter of Woodmere. “I’d hate to see cuts to programs.”

Dusanka Marusic, another Woodmere resident, said she supported the budget to keep the district going. “My kids are grown, but it’s important to keep the community vibrant,” she said.

Gates and McInnes said they were proud of their work on a “responsible budget,” but added that they’d like to see more residents take part in the budget process.