Dear Community Member,

The Farmingdale School District Board of Education would like to thank the community for their participation and involvement in the critical planning process that led to the passing of the recent bond referendum. We are proud of the comprehensive long-range plan that ensures that our school district will continue to provide students, parents and community residents with an excellent educational program.

The bond responds to the important issues facing the Farmingdale Schools and community: an increase in enrollment in our schools that is overcrowding our facilities, especially at the elementary level; the impact of the state's new learning standards, testing programs and graduation requirements that will challenge all of our students in the future; and the renovation needs and condition of our aging facilities. The community support will enable us to address each of these in the form of a long-range construction plan.

The board, the district, and the community have worked for hundreds of hours intensely over the last two years in school level and public discussions to consider the many options for meeting the future needs. We believe these are the steps our district must take to ensure the highest quality education for our students today, as well as in the future.

The new programs, the construction and the renovations will make the next few years in Farmingdale very challenging and exciting as we plan for our students' future. We want you to know that we have heard your concerns about aspects of the program and that your concerns will be considered as we design facilities and programs to meet the needs of our students.

We are always open to learning your questions and comments about our new programs and there will be continuing opportunities for community involvement in the planning process.

Anthony Vitale, President

Robert R. Guarino, Jr., Vice President

Philip J. Acinapuro

Marie Colalucci

Josephine Macchia

Jane Rubinstein

Dolores F. Saxton