This week, the State Legislature mandated changes in the 2003 timetable for the annual district budget vote and trustee election. Due to these changes, the dates for upcoming budget hearings and meetings in the Farmingdale School District have been rescheduled.

The Farmingdale Board of Education officially adopted a $106, 877, 608 budget for the 2003-2004 school year at a special meeting held April 15. This figure represents a 5.97 percent increase over the current school year. The budget will now be available for the public to review on May 13 in schools throughout the district as well as in the public library.

The board of education will still hold a regular meeting on May 7. The public hearing, originally scheduled for May 13, has been moved to May 20. An additional voter registration day has also been scheduled for May 20 from noon to 9 p.m. in the Howitt East Lobby. This is in addition to the May 10 voter registration day. Residents can also register every day at the District Clerk's Office in Howitt Middle School between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. For information on this, contact the district clerk's office at 752-6552. The last day to register to vote is now May 29.

The candidates forum, giving residents an opportunity to hear from those running for the school board, will remain on May 12. There are three seats open on the board of education for the upcoming school year. Current Board President Anthony Vitale, as well as trustees Dr. Phillip Acinapuro and Robert Guarino are up for re-election. Both Vitale and Dr. Acinapuro are running unopposed and Guarino is being challenged by local resident Charles Russo. This too may change as residents have a few more days to submit school board nominating petitions.

To give residents an opportunity to hear from the candidates for the board of education, the Farmingdale Council of Parents and Teachers is hosting a candidate's forum at Howitt Middle School on Monday, May 12, beginning at 7:30 p.m. All residents are invited to take advantage of this opportunity to hear from school board candidates, as well as candidates for the Farmingdale Library Board.

The budget vote and election is taking place on June 3 at the Howitt East gymnasium from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.