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Schools

Local Voters Respond to 2012-13 Budget Vote

Wantagh-Seaford residents made their way to the polls throughout Tuesday.

Residents from Wantagh and Seaford have flooded the polls since early this morning to cast their vote in the 2012-13 school board and budget elections.

After going on a  when the 2011-12 plan failed in two separate votes, Seaford PTA members have urged residents to approve this year's for the sake of the students. Seaford's  for the upcoming year amounts to $57.8 million with a 2.5 percent tax levy increase.

Ann Asquino, whose lived in Seaford for more than 20 years, has put five children through the Seaford School District and feels that another failed budget would risk far too much in student's education.

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"I feel that the kids need to have this budget pass," Asquino said. "They need everything they can get out of our school."

"Last year's cuts didn't effect me personally but I don't want to see that happen again," she added. "I don't think it's that much money for us to be paying for what we get out of it."

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As a mother of three and someone who has called Seaford home for 22 years, Justine Silvestri shared strong feelings about the importance of this year's plan passing.

"Our children need us to get things passed and get things done," she said. "I would be horrified if it fails again. For a community, who's going to want to live here if it does?"

The Wantagh School District proposed a  of $71.7 million with a 1.85 percent tax levy increase. First time candidates Tony Greco, Stephen D'Amato and Peter Brasile are running for incumbent trustee Robert Leuchtmann's spot on the board.

Dan Radzicki and his family moved to Wantagh five years ago. Radzicki said he came out to vote Tuesday because the value of education is what matters most.

"It's totally important for you to support your schools," he explained. "Budgets create opportunities for students, like sports or drama, along with curriculum, and that's really important for our kids. I would vote for the budget no matter what to support this community."

Mark Salerno, a former member of the Wantagh Budget Advisory Committee, stressed the importance that every vote counts and commended the board for their work for the upcoming year.

"The budget is the biggest part of our taxes," Salerno said. "I think it's a mistake to not vote or think your vote doesn't count. The budget failed a few years back and that shows what the silent majority can do. Not that I advocate that, but your vote does matter."

"I think they did a good job this year keeping increases down," he added. "I think it's admirable they were able to keep things under the 2 percent cap."

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