Wantagh School Budget Easily Approved

Story written by Lauren Urban and Andrew Coen

The Wantagh School District’s proposed 2013/14 budget was easily approved by voters Tuesday.

The $74.2 million spending plan was passed by 1,304 votes, 2,144 to 840. As a result, the district will offer full-day kindergarten for the first time this fall. The budget, which has a tax levy increase of 2.79 percent, includes $554,580 that the district is receiving from the state for the inaugural year of the full-day kindergarten program.

Wantagh voters also decided a crowded school board race on Tuesday that featured seven candidates for two seats. Coming out on top in the hotly contested election was Wantagh SEPTA Co-President Kera McLoughlin and college freshman Peter Mountanos with 1,568 and 909 votes, respectively. 

“I’m very excited about the results,” McLoughlin told Patch. “I’m looking forward to working with the school and the Wantagh community to do the best job that I can on the school board. So thank you everyone for the support. I’m looking forward to getting to work.”

Mountanos is a 2012 Wantagh High School graduate now in his freshman year at New York University.  

“I’m really excited to start on the Board of Ed,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with the rest of the members to improve the education and manage the budget.”

When asked if he was surprised by the results, Mountanos said, “A little bit. It was a tough competition. There were seven people running, so the chances weren't in anyone’s favor really. But I was happy with the results, and it’s time to start working.

The next closest candidate in the race was former Wantagh school board trustee Ralph Spagnolo with 730 votes, followed closely by Michael Costello with 727 votes. Incumbent Trustee William Russack finished fifth with 713 votes followed by Donald Lang (447 votes) and David Hoffman (336 votes).