Lawrence School District Holds Election Tuesday

Lawrence Schools Superintendent Gary Schall said the district’s $93.1 million proposed budget avoids cutting “programs that are the heart and soul of our district” while staying constant with last year’s fiscal plan.

“Lawrence has the reputation of being one of the most fiscally conservative districts on Long Island,” he told community members at the annual budget hearing. “The facilities are in great shape, programs intact and we’re debt free.”

The tax levy will increase slightly from $78.9 million to $80.5 million, which Schall attributes to $3.2 million of “built-in expenses” from unfunded mandates and health care costs. See the stories below for the superintendent’s plans for the district.

Although Schall has said that teachers would lose their jobs as a result of the cuts, he said at the hearing that 17 teachers have accepted the retirement incentive program, saving "every position that was in jeopardy."

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Voters will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed school budget and the proposed $2.99 budget, as well as candidates for board members. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the , , and Atlantic Beach Village Hall.

Here is Patch’s coverage of Lawrence’s proposed 2012-13 budget:

Also on the ballot are uncontested elections for two board of education seats and one on the Peninsula Public Library board:

Our comparisons of nearby school districts: