May 20, 2026

Voters across the Five Towns headed to the polls Tuesday for the annual school budget votes and Board of Education elections in the Lawrence and Hewlett-Woodmere school districts.

Both districts saw their proposed budgets approved by voters, while several trustee races drew strong community interest throughout the day and into the evening.

Lawrence School District

The Lawrence Union Free School District’s proposed 2026-2027 budget passed Tuesday night by a vote of 1,496 to 406, at 80% approval.

District officials had emphasized throughout budget season that the proposal maintained a zero percent tax levy increase for the 12th consecutive year while continuing funding for academics, athletics, transportation, technology upgrades, security initiatives, mental health support services, and districtwide capital improvements.

Among the major projects discussed during the budget process were renovations at Lawrence High School, upgrades to athletic facilities, drainage and FEMA-related infrastructure work, and continued classroom modernization throughout the district.

Several trustee and proposition races were also contested across the district’s four polling places.

Lawrence had no tax increase. Hewlett-Woodmere both raised taxes, as expected.

Board of Education Results

A. Mansdorf – 1,776 votes

M. Foreman – 1,524 votes

P. Nolan — 228 votes

A. Dicker — 152 votes

Library

J. Joseph — 433 votes

S. Isaacson — 867 votes

The vote totals reflected strong turnout across Atlantic Beach, Lawrence, Cedarhurst, and Inwood polling locations throughout the day.

Proposition Results

Additional propositions on the ballot also drew attention from voters.

Proposition #3 passed 1235 to 513.

Proposition #4 passed 1124 to 483.

The Peninsula Public Library budget proposition passed.

Hewlett-Woodmere School District

In Hewlett-Woodmere, voters approved the district’s proposed $149.9 million budget for the 2026-2027 school year.

The spending plan includes funding for districtwide capital reinvestment projects, including HVAC upgrades, athletic field improvements, parking lot reconstruction, building repairs, floor replacements, and infrastructure maintenance throughout the district.

District officials stated that the budget increase was largely driven by rising transportation costs, special education services, employee benefits, insurance, and contractual obligations.

The budget includes a 2.61 percent tax levy increase, which remains below New York State’s tax cap threshold.

Two Board of Education seats were also on the ballot.

Incumbents Shari Amitrano and Cheryl May, both running unopposed, were re-elected to new three-year terms.

The Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library budget proposition also received voter approval.