Plainview Voters OK 2011-12 Budget

Plainview voters overwhelmingly approved a $135 million spending budget on Tuesday for the 2011-12 school year and returned two incumbents to trustee positions on Plainview's Board of Education.

With a final tally of 2,095-1,136, homeowners within the can expect to see a 2.9 percent increase in their collective tax levy next year. 

Incumbent school board members and were returned to their trustee positions. Bernstein received 2,016 votes, Lieberman received 1,795 and challenger a newcomer, garnered 1,375 votes. 

Nervous school officials became joyous when the results were tallied. They saw Tuesday's results as a vote of confidence in the district and its fiscal management:

"The vote shows our district values education, values our schools and students and understands what we're trying to do," said school board President Gary Bettan. "Hopefully we will show the voters again next year that we are financially responsible and once again get this level of support from them."

School officials say the relatively low spending increase is the result of good financial planning and savings on certain key items, including transportation costs. The district only eliminated a handful of positions in order to keep the budget numbers in line.

Despite major cuts to state aid to school districts, Plainview's budget represents a $3.3 million increase in overall spending. Some Long Island districts are proposing double-digit percentage increases.

Voting took place from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at three district school buildings: , Old Bethpage School and