The Executive Board of the Farmingdale Council of PTA's has reviewed this year's budget adopted by the board of education for voter approval on May 21. The Executive Board represents PTA presidents from each elementary school, Howitt Middle School, Farmingdale HS and SEPTA, (Special Ed PTA). Council delegates from each of these units and liaisons from FFT, CSEA, administration and our school board are also a part of the Executive Board.

After reviewing and discussing this year's proposed budget, the Executive Board of the Farmingdale Council of PTA's has found this budget to be educationally sound for the students of Farmingdale.

With the long anticipated sixth grade move to Howitt Middle School becoming a reality in September 2003, the school board has made provisions for a transition team in the proposed budget. It is anticipated that this team be in place by February 2003, ensuring that all staff is prepared for our students, and parents, to make a smooth transition in September 2003. Additional teaching staff will be required for this move as well as at the high school level where enrollment increases have been anticipated.

Mandates required by the State Education Department have also been included in the proposed budget. The state has required school districts to install folding wall safety mechanisms, equip school buses with shoulder strap harnesses, (which will increase the number of buses needed for transporting the students), and provide for period-by-period attendance at the high school level, which requires increases in the technology department. The state has not provided additional funding for these mandates, but our school district must comply with them for the safety of our children.

While maintaining a curriculum necessary to meet state standards, providing for the addition of programs to successfully transition the sixth grade to Howitt and complying with state mandates, the proposed budget will ensure that the students of Farmingdale continue to achieve. These are the reasons the Executive Board of the Farmingdale Council of PTA's find the budget to be educationally sound.

The Executive Board of the Farmingdale Council of PTA's would like to encourage all community members to participate in the school budget vote on Tuesday, May 21. Voting will take place at the Howitt Middle School East Gym from 6am-9pm. Every voice counts, let your voice be heard! Vote!

Rose P. Gannon, President

Farmingdale Council of PTA's