The revote for the 2004-2005 school budget is scheduled for Monday, June 21. The original budget, voted on May 18, was defeated by district residents by over 700 votes. Trustees met earlier this month to discuss budget options and officially adopted a $114,625,481 budget, a 7.25 percent increase in expenditures over the current budget which would increase the tax levy by 8.8 percent.

In the event that the budget is defeated, the district will go into a contingent budget, resulting in an 8.1 percent increase in the tax levy. As the district only controls the tax levy, this is a result of the tax levy increase - not tax rates.

While some programs have already been cut from the budget to lower the number, several additional programs face elimination if the budget is defeated. They include academic competitions, the NYSSMA music program, sports - including all varsity teams, after school clubs, theatrical productions/concerts, continuing community education, senior citizens' programs, late/early transportation (public/private), PAGE Alternative School Program, summer school, community use of school facilities and equipment.

In addition, fees will be required for the use of buildings and fields by all outside organizations including Youth Council, Farmingdale CARE, Farmingdale Baseball, Wolverines Soccer, Farmingdale PAL, Farmingdale Hawks, Farmingdale Titans and Boy and Girl Scouts.

In a flier sent out to district residents, the difference in taxes between the new adopted budget that residents will vote on June 21 and a contingent budget is broken down. For example, for residents who pay $5,000 a year in school taxes, the difference between the June 21 budget and a contingent budget is $2.92 per month. For those who pay $6,000, the difference is $3.50 per month and for those who pay $7,000, the difference is $4.08 per month.

For more information about the school budget, call 752-6510 or visit www.farmingdaleschools.org, where the full budget brochure previously mailed to residents is available for viewing. Voting day is Monday, June 21 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Howitt East Gymnasium. The last day to register to vote is June 18.