Floral Park-Bellerose school board Trustee Denise DellaCorte won a third full term Tuesday with 1,251 votes, beating challenger Roni Kropf’s 821 votes.
School board Trustee Doug Vigo won an unopposed bid for a second term with 1,516 votes.
DellaCorte did not return a request for comment Wednesday.
Residents voted 1,560 to 536 to approve the district’s $29.5 million budget with a 1.14-percent spending increase and 0.47-percent tax levy cut.
Residents also approved $950,000 in capital reserve spending 1,601 votes to 478. The money will fund a $1.15 million capital improvements package that includes new kitchens, elevators and heating systems at both district schools.
The Sewanhaka Central High School District’s budget also passed in Floral Park-Bellerose with 1,507 votes in favor to 577 against.
Kropf’s loss is her second in as many years. She ran for a seat last year against current board President Laura Ferone.
“Change is often difficult but with every loss there are many victories: making connections, fostering friendships, community outreach and awareness,” she said in a statement Wednesday. “I look forward to continuing my work with concerned parents and community members toward what’s best for ALL children.”
DellaCorte, a 31-year district resident and retired nurse, said she is proud of the district’s balanced budgets despite the difficulties of the state’s tax levy cap, which required the tax cut this year.
The school board and administrators constantly evaluate their implementation of Common Core standards, she said, and test results show students’ achievements are “soaring.”
“Based on the feedback we’re getting from the state, the fact that our one school is a school of excellence, the fact that the gap is closing with special education and general education students — I think all these things have contributed to the success of our programs and our district,” said DellaCorte, who has had four daughters go through Floral Park-Bellerose schools.
Kropf received an endorsement from Long Island Opt-Out, the group that opposes the controversial Common Core standards and encourages parents to sit their children out of state tests.
Floral Park-Bellerose’s rate of students opting out of state tests stayed flat this year at about 28 percent, DellaCorte has said.
While she thinks the district is in a strong position, Kropf, a licensed social worker and Valley Stream Memorial High School teacher, said bridging what she sees as a gap between the school board and the community and reducing the district’s emphasis on standardized tests could make it even better.
While she thinks Common Core is valuable, Kropf said the district’s curriculum is “driven” by test preparation and could benefit from a stronger writing program and the effective use of classroom technology.
“You can incorporate all the standards and all the learning objectives directed by the state in an enriched curriculum,” she said. “You don’t need to test prep 24/7.”
Kropf also proposed establishing parent committees and intergenerational programs to connect students with senior citizens. She would also support starting a special-education PTA, she has said.
DellaCorte has said families praise the district’s special education program, and the district has lobbied state lawmakers for additional special education funding.
The district recently added three special-education classes, she said, and special education teachers spend part of the school day with general education teachers in a new program.
“Socially and academically, it’s been much better for those children,” DellaCorte has said.
