The polls will be open today from 11 am until 8 pm at the High School gymnasium for a vote on the 2023-2024 school budget, as well as two commissioners for the Board of Education for a three-year term and three propositions. (See attached newsletter).
On April 19, 2023, the Board of Education formally adopted the proposed spending plan for $31,425,209, representing an increase of $3,676,326 or 13% from the previous year due to debt service on the Capital Project, payment on the Herkimer BOCES Capital Project, bus purchase, and negotiated salary increases.
Revenues increased by $3,653,294 from the previous year due to increases in State Aid and the payments on building aid and BOCES aid. Total aid is estimated at $22,300,718 for next year.
The necessary tax levy for 202324 will be $9,124,491, or an increase of 0.25% over the previous year.
Candidates running for the two spots on the board were asked a set of questions, and their answers are below:
Kristina Hameister
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself: I was born and raised in Little Falls, as were my parents, Rich & Cheryl Long, and grandparents, Jim & Claire Kane and Dan & Margaret Long. I’ve been married to my amazing husband, Gary, for 13 years and combined together have 3 awesome adult “kids”- Josh & Abby Blanchard and Nik Hameister, along with our beautiful, spicy, love of our life, our granddaughter Harper. Many in LF know me from working at Little Falls Hospital for many years- first as my after-school job in the laboratory, and then coming back years later to work as an ultrasound tech.
2. What in your background makes you feel like you are qualified for the position? This year will be the start of my 15th year as a Commissioner on the LFCSD School Board. That, along with just about every member of my family (aunts, uncles, sisters, cousins) being a teachers, administrators, even a superintendent, in different school districts- I hear all sides of what goes on in a school district- from inside the school and from the community.
3. Why are you running? I’m re-running because I actually enjoy what we do together as a board. Helping to make a difference for the kids in our community.
4. Is there anything that is your ‘hot button’ issue that you want to address if elected? With already being a member of the board for so many years, I can already bring up any issues I hear from community members.
5. Anything else that people need to know about you and why you are running? Just that I enjoy serving on the board for them and anyone can always contact me if they ever have a question or concern.
Kimberly Sabatino
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself: My name is Kimberly Sabatino. I have lived in the City of Little Falls for 21 years and have 3 daughters all of which have successfully gone through the school system and or are current students. My eldest, Candice was a 2020 graduate, my middle daughter, Katie is a senior this year, and my youngest, Sofia will be entering Kindergarten in the Fall. I am a long-time nurse and currently a Practice Manager at Oneida Health.
2. What in your background makes you feel like you are qualified for the position? My husband Mike and I have spent the last 18 years supporting several youth programs and volunteering our time within the school system and throughout the community. I have coached and assisted coaching several youth sports including, soccer, basketball, softball, and cheerleading. I was a Girl scout troop leader for 6 years, president/coordinator of the Little Falls Youth girls softball league for several years, coordinator for Little Falls YMCA girls basketball for 3 years and coach for Popwarner football/cheer for 8 years. I was a member of the music booster club as well as the PTC for BHA.
3. Why are you running? Having had 2 children go through the school system at what many would consider to have been some of the most difficult times ever in education, I knew when this opportunity presented itself I had to give it a shot. I am fortunate enough to be friends with many of the staff, the teachers, the maintenance team, and administrators with in the district so I have seen and heard their versions of the struggles and I need to know I am doing my part to support them in hopes of making a better future for the children.
4. Is there anything that is your ‘hot button’ issue that you want to address if elected? My goal is to obtain a seat on the so that I can continue to support the school district, be a voice for the community and an advocate for our children.
Thank you