With the recent rejection of the proposed Farmingdale School District budget, Frank Garofolo, president of the Youth Council is more than worried. Although the Youth Council budget did pass, without the funding for the schools, summer programs will have to be cut, if not altogether canceled, due to the costs of using the school fields and classrooms. If the second budget proposal does not pass on the June 20 re-vote date, thousands of Farmingdale children will suffer the elimination of programs, including the popular summer and winter football program.

The state mandates that outside organizations need to reimburse the school district for the use of their facilities, said Garofolo. Without an appropriate budget, the school will have to charge the Youth Council for programs on school property. It will cost the Youth Council $100 per day for a classroom, said Garofolo. Registration costs will have to increase.

"I am out of business," he said "We are not going to be able to perform the duties we want to for our children."

Over 1200 children are involved in the baseball program, while almost 1400 were involved in soccer. Altogether, Garofolo says that approximately 4500-5000 children will be affected by cuts to the programs.

Garofolo said that he thinks the proposed budget did not pass because a lot of younger parents did not come out to vote.

"I think we had a lot of apathy," he said. "I am very concerned, we need to take more of an interest in our children's education."

On Tuesday, June 13, special registration hours will run from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Howitt, allowing evening registration for the re-vote. Residents may also register on any day, up to June 16, from 8-4 p.m. at the District Clerk's office, located at Howitt.

The proposed budget was $85,954,668 for the year 2000-2001, which included a spending increase of only 6.98 percent. The estimated property tax levy increase was 7.16 percent, however that number is not the tax rate increase, which administrators say they will try to keep at 5.9 percent. The original proposed budget was higher, and included a spending increase of 8.26 percent. Administrators pared down equipment and staff retirements.

Salaries of 13 new teachers and contractual salaries for existing ones were included in the proposed budget. Increasing enrollment, along with new state standards and assessments were worked into the proposed budget, as well as technological advancement.

In the district's budget brochure, administrators illustrated estimated enrollment increases as a reason for the slight increase. According to administrators, enrollment will continue to grow by an estimated 1.9 percent to 6,388. They also said that the curriculum would be enhanced in all buildings to include after school academic enrichment programs so students can meet new state standards.

Increased staff is needed to enhance reading, math and English as a second language skills in elementary schools. In the high school, administrators wanted to improve English, math, social studies, technology and science support lab programs, by adding more teachers.

The budget also included over $2 million in capital projects. Among them are window replacement, electrical upgrades, lighting replacement and heating/ventilation work.

Farmingdale is one of 19 districts Islandwide whose budget was defeated. Other Nassau County districts that had their budget turned down included; Glen Cove, Longwood, Roosevelt, Westbury, Amityville, Port Washington, Malverne and Herricks. Overall budgets increased about six to eight percent. Local districts, such as the Massapequa District, were able to pass their budget, whereas Plainedge residents rejected their $40 million proposed budget.

Absentee ballots for those who will be away from the district on the re-vote date may be obtained from district clerk Josephine Murray, who can be reached at 742-6552.