Island Trees Students Arrested after talk of ‘Blowing Up’ School

On Wednesday, June 18, the Principal of Michael F. Stokes Elementary School (grades K-4) witnessed 4 teens in the parking lot with four plastic bottles and talking about “blowing up” the school. 

Long Island’s School Budget Vote Day

Tomorrow, May 20, is Long Island’s own “Super Tuesday” for all Public School Districts on the Island. All across Long Island thousands of registered voters will have their say on School Budgets and Board Candidates.

TOH: Taxpayer’s Forum in Levittown, tomorrow

Tomorrow, May 8, the Town of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes, Donald X. Clavin, will host a Taxpayer’s Forum in Levittown for Town residents.

State completes Island Trees Audit

Yesterday, April 29, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced that his office has completed the audit of Island Trees Union Free School District in Levittown.

BREAKING NEWS: Attempted Student Abductions in Levittown

Yesterday, April 15, two students, one from Island Trees School District the other from the Levittown School District were approached by a vehicle which attempted to abduct the students. Both incidents were reported to the Nassau County Police Department.

Island Trees Incident:

On Tuesday, April 15, at approximately 3:30 PM, a fifth grade student was approached by two males in a black Infinity SUV with a Florida license plate on Forge Lane. The driver was described as a male Caucasian in his 30’s, accompanied by a passenger described as dark-skinned, in his early 20’s, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. The first time the car passed the student the male driver said, “Hey.” The car passed the student a second time on Rope Lane facing Wantagh Avenue. The passenger exited the car and walked toward the student waving his hand yelling, “Hey kid, come here.” A neighbor observing from her home intervened and the passenger got back into the car and it drove away. Island Trees Superintendent of Schools, James Parla, stated that it is his understanding the police have the license plate number of the Infinity described above.

Levittown Incident:

On Tuesday, April 15, at approximately 4:00 PM there was an attempted abduction outside of Wisdom Lane Middle School, 120 Center Lane in Levittown. A dark-skinned bald man driving a black van with purple tinted windows approached a student.

Anyone with more information contact the Nassau County Police Department Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or go to http://www.police.co.nassau.ny.us/crimestoppers/index.htm

NYS Budget Passes

New York State Legislators came to an agreement yesterday up in Albany. The 2008-2009 New York State Budget was finally approved. It will include $121.7 billion in state spending, an increase of 4.9% from last year.

“In the face of two crises, one in government and one in our economy we came together to produce a responsible budget for the people of New York,” said Governor Paterson. “This was by no means a perfect process, nor is it a perfect product. But we were able to achieve the programmatic reforms and cost controls needed to move forward and confront the challenges ahead.”

Local Details from the 2008/09 Budget:

Education, the budget calls for a $1.8 billion increase in school aid statewide. On Long Island , almost every district will see an increase in school aid.

School District-08/09 State Aid-Increase from 07/08

Bellmore- 4,692,353 (+ 841,402)

Bellmore-Merrick- 19,591,127 (+ 1,829,411)

Island Trees- 15,209,617 (+1,563,466)

Levittown- 51,726,163 (+4,570,320)

Merrick- 6,091,849 (+353,337)

North Bellmore- 11,652,339 (+1,139,585)

North Merrick- 6,596,619 (+890,163)

Seaford- 9,970,932 (+576,502)

Wantagh- 14,751,451 (+1,045,550)

Nassau Community College will get $28.5 million for a new Performing Arts Building, new Parking Lots, updated Windows, new Energy Savings Initiatives, updated Fire Alarms and Public Address System.

SUNY Farmingdale will receive $39.3 millionand SUNY Westbury $13 Million.

For other school districts on Long Island or in NY click here http://assembly.state.ny.us/comm/WAM/2008schoolaid/#n

For a full list of other SUNY schools click here http://assembly.state.ny.us/comm/WAM/2008sunycuny/2008suny.html

Parks, $120 million for state parks, statewide. Jones Beach will get $4.2 million for boardwalk improvements, Zach’s Bay Comfort Station, upgrades in the water treatment plant and pool filtration system.

For a full list of state aid to New York parks click here http://assembly.state.ny.us/comm/WAM/2008Parks/2008parks.pdf

Statewide Details:

Economic Development Projects, statewide $350 millionfor the New York State Capital Assistance Program (NYSCAP).

Heathcare, $25 million for 400,000 uninsured children.

For a full list click here http://www.budget.state.ny.us/

New Statewide Taxes:

Closing unintended tax loopholes ($429 million); increasing programmatically tailored fees ($203 million); increasing cigarette taxes by $1.25 per pack to $2.75 to fund health care investments ($265 million); and requiring Internet retailers such as Amazon.com to collect sales tax which is already owed to the State ($50 million). Certain Executive Budget revenue proposals were rejected, including taxing illegal drugs, imposing an additional $15 auto insurance surcharge, collecting a five-cent deposit on non-carbonated beverages, and removing restrictions on the operations of Quick Draw – though authorization for the game will be extended for two years.

Library Budget Results; Seaford Vote Today

Wantagh News has found out the results of yesterday’s public library budget votes.

Island Trees Public Library: Passed, 133-65.
Levittown Public Library: Passed, 240-80.
Wantagh Public Library: Passed. TBA.

The Seaford Public Library will have their budget vote today, April 9, from 1 to 9 PM.

The Merrick Public Library will have their vote on the 17th and North Merrick Public Library on the 13th.