I have been a resident of the Farmingdale School District for over 24 years and even though both of my children have graduated, I am still an active and committed community member working hard to ensure that the educational system here in Farmingdale remains strong.

The board of education has proposed a school budget increase of 7.85 percent and I believe that it is important to understand what lies behind this increase. By now, you are all aware that the budget revote has been set for Friday, June 7. How does this school budget address the community's concerns? As a result of our Capital Bond Issue that was passed in 1999, construction at all four elementary schools is completed to support our full day kindergarten and increased enrollment. Construction at Howitt is ongoing to support the sixth-grade move in September 2003 and funds are included for a middle school transition support team for those fifth and sixth-grade students. Repayment on the Capital Improvement Bond continues with this budget. Funding for capital projects will continue to finance the buildings' electrical upgrades, electrical and data cabling for technology, ceiling and light replacements, folding wall safety equipment for gymnasiums and floor replacements, all districtwide. The library at the high school will be renovated as well as renovations to one athletic field each at Woodward Parkway and Albany Avenue. Due to new State Education Department requirements as well as necessary upgrades to the school software system, this budget includes funds to support a new student management system.

A contingent budget means that the budget must be reduced by $2,500,000. By law, the capital projects that I have outlined above - other than those already approved and in process or bond related - would be eliminated. Building and field maintenance would cease. The school district would need to charge outside organizations fees for the use of fields and facilities. There would be no field trips or transportation to or from student competitions and driver's education would be eliminated. I firmly believe that this is not what our community wants.

Over the past 11 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. We must continue to be vigilant in our lobbying efforts so that the fiscal responsibility of all 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. 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 school aid in the governor's proposal budget is but a "drop in the bucket" when such high stakes consequences hang over the heads of our students.

Education is the key to understanding. Educated students 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 educational system.

Supporting this budget will preserve what is good in Farmingdale as well as promote its continued growth. It is vitally important that you come out and support our children's educational future and the welfare of our community on Friday, June 7. Vote yes for the school budget!

Kathy Dowling