The Farmingdale Board of Education on April 18 adopted a proposed $85,954,668 budget for the year 2000-2001, which includes a spending increase of 6.98 percent and an estimated property tax levy increase of 7.16 percent. The budget will be presented to the public for voter approval on May 16.

The plan was adopted after an original proposal, which included a spending increase of 8.26 percent, was trimmed. The reductions were primarily in the area of equipment, and staff retirements.

Salaries for 13 new teachers and contractual salary increases for existing ones represent the bulk of this year's budget increase. The growth in spending is also accounted for by new technology, enrollment growth, and programs to help students meet new state standards and assessments.

Gerard W. Dempsey, Jr., superintendent of schools, hopes that despite low turnout at public informational and input meetings conducted throughout the budget deliberation period, the public is aware of the reasons to support the spending increase.

"Although we did not hear a lot from our public during budget deliberations, we're hopeful that they understand the challenges of increased enrollment, new standards, and our expanded programming - all of which is supported by this 2000-2001 budget," Dempsey said this week.

Citing some of the major educational challenges facing the district this year, he added, "We have 13 new staff positions - some of them are due to the enrollment growth - that's primarily at the middle school, and a little bit at the high school. We have new support classes in both the middle school and high school. We have new remedial teachers in the elementary schools. All of them are meant to help children meet the higher standards and assessment requirements." In addition, to help students meet new state standards and assessments, the budget supports a new after-school extra help program, and collaborative classes for special education and students learning the English language.

The Farmingdale Board of Education, in its message to the public in this year's district budget brochure, also described the support that this year's financial plan provides for enrollment growth and the standards. "In the 2000-2001 school year, our enrollment will continue to grow by an estimated 1.9 percent to 6,388. To support students at risk of meeting the state's new standards, the curriculum will be enhanced in all buildings to include after-school academic enrichment programs. In this budget, staff will be added to increase reading, math and English as a second language programs in our elementary schools and English, math, social studies, technology, and science support lab programs at the high school," stated the board's message.

The budget also includes over $2 million in capital projects, including window replacement, electrical and data cabling upgrades, ceilings and lighting replacement, and heating and ventilation work. These projects are separate from an upcoming capital expansion program, which will be funded by a $38 million bond approved by voters in the fall of 1999. The bond will overhaul facilities and add several classrooms districtwide. Architectural plans are under way for the first portion of the project - the addition of classrooms at the elementary level - and construction is expected to begin this fall.

Although the district has not yet received a final state aid figure, the amount is expected to be larger this year, due to an anticipated growth in overall state funding for education. Based on an estimation of this figure and property assessment values, the average tax rate increase for properties throughout the district has been projected to be about 5.9 percent. The estimated increase in the tax bill for the average home in the Town of Oyster Bay section of the district assessed at $6,000 is $235.22. This would be offset by a refund of $247 from the state's STAR program.

A public hearing on the budget will be held on May 9. For further information on the hearing, or to obtain a copy of the budget brochure, which details the financial plan, one may call the district's public information office at 752-6666.