I have been a resident of this school district for over 22 years and even though both of my sons have graduated, I'm still a very active and committed community member working hard to ensure that the educational system here in Farmingdale remains strong.

The Board of Education has set June 20 for the revote of the school budget with a 6.5 percent increase. It's important to understand what lies behind this increase. You are all aware of the new standards instituted by the Board of Regents. In a nutshell, they affect every student from K - 12. For the past nine years, I have traveled to Albany with a focused leadership team of parents, teachers, community members, students, support staff, and administrators to lobby our local legislators, state senators, and assemblypersons for increased state aid and for the past two years we have included Richard Mills, the commissioner of education with regard to these new standards. We must continue to be vigilant in our lobbying efforts so that the fiscal responsibility of the unfunded mandates does not rest on the backs of the local taxpayers. We all agree that the standards are essential as we strive to increase educational opportunities for all of our students -- it's the critical lack of funding required to support these standards that needs to be addressed.

With the state aid that Farmingdale received this year, we are finally at the funding level we were at a decade ago although it's very important to note that at the same time we are educating more than 1,000 additional students. Although Governor Pataki has taken steps to restore more funds to education in the last few years, our state aid is still woefully inadequate. The Operating Standards Aid line in the governor's budget is but a "drop in the bucket" when such high stakes consequences hang over the heads of our students.

How does the school budget address these issues? Thirteen new classroom teachers are included to accommodate our continued enrollment growth as well as to support newly developed instructional programs, curriculum and learning strategies necessary to reach all students. Additional funding is included to purchase updated and comprehensive textbooks that support the more rigorous standards. A brand new after-school tutoring program for elementary students is included as another academic resource. Funding for capital projects will continue interior classroom modifications, heating and ventilating renovations and data cabling to continue the expansion of our much needed and comprehensive technology program.

Education is the key to understanding. Educated children become educated adults, who in turn become members of an educated and concerned community. We need to acknowledge that in the long run our economic power is fueled by the very strength of our education system.

Supporting this budget will preserve what is good in Farmingdale as well as promote its continued growth. It will ensure the continuity of our strong educational system and preserve our interscholastic programs, extra curricular activities and our much-needed Care program, a before and after school day care program. Your support will allow the use of facilities for organizations such as Farmingdale Youth Council and all its member groups.

It is vitally important that you come out and support our children's educational future and the welfare of our community on June 20. Our children cannot vote to protect their education; we must do it for them. Vote "yes"!

Kathy Dowling