The budget for the Farmingdale School District passed Tuesday evening, May 15. Administrators, members of the faculty, their families and friends were all on hand at the Howitt East Gymnasium when the announcement was made that 1,893 residents voted for and 1,564 residents voted against the school budget.

The school budget, proposition one on the ballot, includes the first repayment of the capital improvement bond taken by the school district for construction of 12 additional classrooms to accommodate full day kindergarten. Construction is already taking place at all four elementary schools and is expected to be completed by mid-August. Also to accommodate full day kindergarten, the budget includes the staffing of 12 new teachers for kindergarten classes and 4.24 new teachers for specials such as music, physical education and enrichment. In addition, books, technology and other supplies needed for the youngsters are also included.

In addition to full day kindergarten, the 2001-2002 budget, which has a 9.2 percent increase over last year's figure, also includes additional teaching positions to accommodate the enrollment increase facing the district. An estimated 1,000 more students will be entering the middle school this year alone, and additional staffing is necessary.

This year's budget also represents the start of a long-range plan, in which the district anticipates to move sixth grade students into Howitt Middle School in the 2002-2003 school year and hopes to work on decreasing class sizes in primary grades the following year.

Proposition two on the ballot, the library budget, also passed with 2,019 votes for and 1,397 votes against the budget. In addition, proposition three, the budget for the Farmingdale Youth Council, passed with 2,188 in favor and 1,190 against the budget.

Current board of education member Tina Diamond, who ran unopposed for her trustee seat received 2,030 votes. Diamond will serve a three year term on the board which is to end in June of 2004.

The seat currently occupied by Dr. Dolores Saxton, who announced her intention of stepping down at the end of the school year, was filled by Joy Jorgensen who received 1,709 votes, 388 more votes than her opponent, Lisa Bell. Jorgensen, like Diamond, will also hold a three year term until June of 2004.

Library Trustee Laura Ulric, who ran unopposed, received 1,945 votes in her favor and will serve another five year term to end in June of 2006.

Administrators and members of the board of education cheered when they heard that the budget had passed and some expressed relief since many residents expressed concern regarding the necessity of such an increase. Since the budget passed, the full day kindergarten program will begin in Farmingdale schools this September, and all other projects will continue as planned.