Hempstead officials are regrouping Wednesday after voters rejected a budget calling for an 11.5 percent decrease in school taxes.

Teachers union president Dawn Sherwood says passing the budget would have meant cutting 100 teacher, teaching assistant and security positions. Officials say the union heavily endorsed the winning school board candidates and urged voters to say no to the budget. Sherwood says she is hopeful a revamped budget will still cut taxes without layoffs.

Officials say the budget was turned down by just 54 votes, with more than 1,100 ballots cast.

Related Information: LI School Vote 2006 Results