Local residents approved the Farmingdale School District 1999-2000 budget by less than 200 votes Tuesday, ushering in new programs to help meet a growing enrollment and to help students pass the new all-Regents graduation requirements, as well as capital projects for structural upgrades.

The $80.34 million budget, which received 1434 "yes" and 1238 "no" votes, increases spending by 6.5 percent over last year. The district expects the residential property tax rate increase associated with the plan to be about 6 percent.

"I'm ecstatic," was School Board President Josephine Macchia's reaction after reporting the results of the vote Tuesday night. She noted that the approval shows that the local public is aware of the need to support students in their struggle to meet the state Regents standards, and that they value the many other programs for children that are funded by the budget, such as the recreation programs offered by youth council. "I think they are enjoying the quality of life...It's a feel-good attitude by the public, and I hope that momentum continues."

Gerard W. Dempsey, Jr., superintendent of Farmingdale Schools, expressed pleasure in the budget's passing, but also concern about the relatively high number of "no" votes. "I'm delighted that the budget passed. It certainly means that we can move forward with our programs," he said, noting that the district will meet the needs of growing enrollment, which is expected to grow by 2.5 percent next year, and help students meet the state Regents requirements. "I'm concerned that the margin of victory was not larger, because I think that we have a number of educational challenges ahead, and we need the public's support to accomplish that. It will encourage us to work harder to gain that support."

Much of the increase in Farmingdale's budget is related to salaries, with $48.2 million slated for that category, as opposed to $45.8 million last year. Included in that increase is the district's plan to hire 13 new teachers who are needed due to growing enrollment, as well as curriculum enhancements and the installation of required technology, much of which is geared to help students meet the new, state-mandated all-Regents graduation requirements.

The budget also includes funds for such capital projects as additional data cabling and electrical work, an updated fire alarm system for the high school, roof reconstruction, playground safety and improved heating and ventilation.

It does not include construction costs associated with the need for new classrooms caused by enrollment growth, and other initiatives being planned by the district. These are expected to be funded by a multi-million dollar bond proposal that will be presented to the voters for approval in the fall.

Voter turnout increased slightly over last year, when the district's budget, which increased residential property taxes by about 5 percent, passed by less than 300 votes. In that budget election, "yes" votes totaled 1,236 and 1,022 rejected the measure.

Those who voted against the budget this year cited annually escalating taxes as their reasoning. For example, upon leaving the polls, Mary Ernst said she voted "no", "because I feel right now our taxes are high to begin with." She said that although she has children who are students in the district, and that the district operates many beneficial curriculum programs, she wants the school administration to curb spending. "Every year, I vote for it, and every year, it goes up," she added.

Her husband, Matthew, also voted against the budget. "They're outpricing people out of the community with it," he said. "I think they can consolidate and streamline it tremendously. It's much too politically correct, instead of dealing with reality."

A commitment to supporting students and helping them meet the higher state standards was a major impetus for those who registered a vote of approval. For example, Tina Diamond, who voted for the budget, said, "There's no doubt about it. If you're going to have these higher standards, you're going to need these extra programs. The students need the extra programs to meet the standards." She added that the increasing tax rate is caused by the state's refusal to give the district its fair share of school aid. "It's not fair that the state doesn't provide us with the money that we need," she said.

In addition to passing the budget, Farmingdale voters elected Jane Schriro Rubinstein and Marie Colalucci to the school board Tuesday. Both had run unopposed for the seats being vacated by Troy Rosasco and Bill Barrett, two 6-year trustees who had chosen not to run for re-election.

"I'm looking forward to hitting the ground running," said Rubinstein, adding that she is pleased by "the vote of confidence" displayed by residents through the election.

Colalucci expressed similar enthusiasm for working with the board on issues confronting the district. For example, she said, "We've got a big bond issue coming. We want to get involved with that."

Turnout at the first annual Farmingdale School District student vote that was held in the cafeteria of Howitt on Tuesday was higher than that of the official budget and trustees vote that took place simultaneously in the school's gymnasium. Nineteen percent of all students in the district participated in that election, which posed two questions: 1) Are You in Favor of Wearing School Uniforms? and 2) Does Working Hard in School Lead to Success in Life? Districtwide, 272 students voted yes for question number one, and 913 against it. One thousand one hundred and thirty nine youngsters said they believe working hard in school leads to success in life, with 46 voting against the philosophy.

The implementation of the student vote as a yearly event was aimed at instilling the value of voting at an early age, according to Barbara Horsley, the district's assistant superintendent for administration. "They'll grow up voting," she said. "Then, when they have to vote when they're older, it will be natural."

Farmingdale's 1999-2000 school budget was among 123 approved out of a total of 126 school districts on Long Island. Neighboring Bethpage also passed, by a vote of 947 to 669, as did Half Hollow Hills, by 2,176 to 827.