Local taxpayers approved a revised Farmingdale School District Year 2000 Budget Tuesday night, after an original financial plan was rejected by voters in mid-May.

Education proponents gathered in the Howitt School gymnasium breathed a strong sigh of relief following announcement of the 2359-Yes to 1710-No tally, which ushered in the $85.6 million revised budget.

Under the old plan, $85.9 million in spending was proposed, with an estimated tax rate increase of 5.9 percent. With the revised plan accepted by the community, the estimated average tax rate increase is 5.8 percent. The district arrived at this figure after shaving off $320,000 from capital projects, and receiving an unexpected $308,428 increase in state aid.

"We're delighted that the community supported the school district, the programs, and all the community activities for our children," said Gerard W. Dempsey, Jr., superintendent of Farmingdale Schools, immediately following the budget's passage. "We look forward to continuing our plans for academic standards, enrollment growth, and new programs."

Throughout the community, the defeat of the original budget had been attributed to various factors: from widespread voter apathy, to shock waves from the Nassau County fiscal crisis. "I think typically, everyone feels my individual vote isn't important," said resident Anthony LaNunziata, as he waited to enter the polling booth. He added that he came out try to help pass the revised budget because, "Education is one of the most important things in our life." LaNunziata was among over 4,000 residents who showed up at the polls, the largest Farmingdale budget vote turnout since 1996.

Offering additional analysis on this year's budget process, Dempsey said he thinks the original plan was defeated for several possible reasons. For one, he cited lack of involvement from many of the school's supporters. He also sensed some anxiety about budget increases, in the district, county and state, although he noted that the degree to which this affected the process is somewhat speculative. He added that he feels that the bond vote that was successful in the fall was not fully understood by the community, and led to questions about the current budget. The district has not experienced a revote since 1994. In that case too, the revised budget passed.

Had the budget gone down again, the district would have gone on austerity, and would have been required by law to reduce or eliminate services and programs in areas such as new instructional and non-instructional equipment (all new technology equipment would have been eliminated), adult education, extra-curricular and athletic activities and field trips. The district would have also been legally required to charge outside organizations (such as Youth Council, Farmingdale Care, PAL, lacrosse, basketball, Boy and Girl Scouts, etc.) for the use of facilities. Because of the capping requirement legally imposed by austerity, reductions would have been likely in staff, textbooks and supplies, although transportation programs remain in place under austerity.

While the operation of the Farmingdale Youth Council (FYC) Summer Recreation Program had been in jeopardy due to rejection of the original budget, passage of the revised budget ensures that the program will take place this summer. According to FYC President Frank Garofalo, registration for the program will take place Monday, June 26 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday, June 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.