During their July 11 reorganization meeting, the Farmingdale Board of Education voted to maintain the same organization of its board as in 2001-02. Board President Anthony Vitale, Vice President Marie Colalucci and District Clerk Josephine Murray kept their titles. Incumbents Colalucci and Jane Rubinstein were voted back into their position in May. Both trustees ran unopposed.

While Vitale admitted there is considerable responsibility that comes with being on the board, the confidence board members have in him is greatly appreciated.

"I've been a trustee since 1988," he said during the board meeting. "Responsibilities of the board are connecting a bridge between ourselves and the public."

Board members unanimously agreed to enact nearly every other motion at the meeting, including setting hourly rates for clerical workers, Board of Registration and student workers. But board members did differ on one issue: the musical instrument fee for the 2002-03 school year. Colalucci made a motion to increase the rate to $50 for the school year and $40 for the summer months. Other members of the board agreed it was necessary to raise the rate. But the members said they were not ready to vote in favor of the proposal.

"It would be my preference not to vote on the amended plan and get PTA and public review," said Trustee Jane Rubinstein. "It's appropriate. We would be criticized for doing it during a time when school is out."

However, since a motion to increase the fee was proposed and seconded, the board did vote on the measure. The motion to increase the fee was voted down by a 4-2 vote.

Also at the meeting, School Superintendent Dr. Roberta Gerold announced that 70 percent of seniors graduated with Regents diplomas. The number trumped a 52 percent Regents graduation figure for the class of 2001. In all, 365 of 381 class of 2002 seniors graduated. This year marked the highest number of seniors graduating with Regents honors and the lowest number of seniors who did not graduate. Of the remaining 16, Dr. Gerold said nine students are in summer school and expect to graduate in October. She was not sure about the status of the remaining seven students.

The graduation numbers elated Dr. Gerold. "It was a successful year," she said. "The figures were excellent."

During the meeting, the board unanimously awarded two bids for Capital Improvement Projects. Palace Electrical Contractors won a bid to perform districtwide electrical technology work. Palace had the lowest of five bids at $107,200. Gym bleacher replacement at the high school gym was awarded to J.S. McHugh, the sole bidder for the project. The winning bid was $134,000.