Dear Community Residents:

At emergency meetings on May 18 and May 23, the Board of Education held a public discussion about its options regarding a revote and the setting of a revised budget. June 20 was chosen for the revote date to ensure that a majority of the community would be present before the summer vacation begins. As a result of an austerity budget, by state regulation, the Board of Education may not subsidize the use of facilities for outside organizations, including summer programs.

During the deliberations on May 18 and 23, we decided not to make modifications to the district programs and services to students. We have removed from the budget a number of capital projects which will have to be accomplished in a future budget year.

The proposed budget provides for additional reading staff, corrective math staff, English as a second language staff, and a more comprehensive, collaborative program for special education children. This budget also supports a projected enrollment increase of 123 students (1.96 percent) for the 2000-2001 school year.

The district has received $308,428 more in state aid than was estimated in April when the original budget was planned. The reduction in capital projects and the increase in state aid means that the district will be able to cut $628,428 from the amount raised by taxes. The average estimated tax increase will be 5.8 percent. Those residents eligible for the basic STAR credit will receive a net school tax decrease for the 2000-2001 school year.

The Farmingdale budget revote will be held on Tuesday, June 20, in the Howitt Middle School Gymnasium between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Gerard W. Dempsey, Jr.

Superintendent of Schools