Friday, June 16, is the last day to register to vote on the Farmingdale school budget. Registered voters will hit the polls on Tuesday, June 20, to cast their ballots on the new, pared-down budget. The board of education has eliminated more than $320,000 from its initial spending plan, primarily by reducing the number of capital projects it will undertake and utilizing an unexpected increase in state aid to reduce the tax burden on the citizens of the community by more than $628,000.

Under this revised budget, the effect on the tax rate was reduced to an average estimated 5.8 percent. The board was able to make the necessary cuts without unduly affecting its new academic programs, which have been put in place to support all children as they work to meet the new, more challenging standards established by New York State. Should the budget go down again, the district will go on austerity and be forced by law to reduce or eliminate several services and programs. Under austerity reductions are likely in staff, textbooks and supplies.