VIDEO: Residents Split on School Budgets

In less than an hour the polls will close in Malverne and West Hempstead and shortly after residents of both school districts will learn the fate of their budgets and board candidates.

The Middle Schools in both communities were buzzing Tuesday evening as the majority of residents turned out to cast their votes. 

While many refused to speak about what decisions they had made in the voting booth, some residents were willing to share with Patch how they casted their ballots.

In West Hempstead, one woman, a 9-year resident who does not have children, said she voted down the budget, stating that the community can not afford a tax increase. (She was not aware that if the district adopts a contingency budget the tax levy would actually rise higher than the 2.99 percent currently proposed.)

"A lot of people are leaving West Hempstead, mostly seniors, who did not get a COLA increase," she said. "They're the most valuable members of the community in my community...this is their home."

A number of other West Hempstead voters did not want to give their names, but said the were voting "negatively."

In contrast to these opinions, one parent, also speaking on anonymity, denounced the residents who voted down the budget last year and said he hoped this year wasn't a repeat.

Malverne School District voters were also split over the budget. Watch the video clips to hear what they had to say.