Long Islanders head to the polls Tuesday to vote on school districts' nearly $15.2 billion in proposed spending, as well as hundreds of school board candidates. Included in the budgets are a combined $9.5 billion in school property taxes.
Observers note that pandemic controversies such as masks and school closings are a thing of the past. But they also see a concerted strategy by some to tone down culture war issues, which didn't serve them well last year.
Just over 40% of Long Island students taking New York's math tests passed their assessments, the latest sign that the COVID-19 pandemic has weakened academic achievement, according to a Newsday analysis of government records.
The growing problem has alarmed school officials who coordinate services for the children. "We have great difficulty in placing our [preschool special education] kids," one LI schools superintendent said.
The forecast varies from one district to the next: Some taxpayers will see a freeze or even a reduction, while others will see substantial hikes. Find your district in the accompanying chart.