In each of the last four years, Orthodox [Jewish] voters mobilized to defeat the school budget -- one of the longest losing streaks on Long Island. Then in July, they took charge of the school board, though few of the Orthodox send their children to public schools. Out of seven seats, the new majority consists of four Orthodox members and one ally.

"We have the control here," one Orthodox resident, David M. Hiller, said recently as he walked along Central Avenue, a retail hub featuring shops like SuperSol ("the ultimate Kosher supermarket") and Jerusalem Pizza.

Not all unwillingness to live in a secular society comes from Christian fundamentalists.

This also points out why using property taxes for schools is not a good idea in general.

Many religious groups don't understand why they are obligated to pay for public schools which they don't use. This case highlights the issue.