The Farmingdale School District Budget for the 2003-2004 school year of $106,877,608 passed by close to 500 votes on Tuesday evening. Tallies showed that 2,370 residents voted for and 1,899 voted against passing the budget.

The budget vote and election was postponed by two weeks this year due to the mandated changes by the State Legislature. The vote was originally scheduled for May 20. The budget for the 2003-2004 school year represents a 5.97 percent increase over this year's budget.

There were four candidates running for the board of trustees this year. Anthony Vitale, current board president; and Dr. Philip Acinapuro, also an incumbent, both ran uncontested and received 2,741 and 2,690 votes respectively. Robert Guarino, who has been on the board for the past six years, was being challenged for his seat by resident Charles Russo. Guarino kept his seat on the board, receiving 2,013 votes to Russo's 1,669.

The Farmingdale Library Proposition also passed, with 2,578 residents voting in favor and 1,642 voting in opposition. Rosemary Trudden, who was running uncontested for the library board, received 2,765 votes.

Also voted on was the Farmingdale Youth Council Proposition, which passed by over a thousand votes with 2,672 residents voting yes and 1,491 residents voting no.

-M. Kane