On April 11, the Farmingdale School District Board of Education adopted the proposed 2006-07 budget that the community will be asked to consider on Tuesday, May 16. This budget represents an expenditure increase of 4.19 percent with a tax levy increase of 3.5 percent, which is below the increase in the cost of living. The difference in the tax levy increase between this year's proposed budget and a contingent budget is .02 percent. The district must, by law, adopt a contingency budget if a budget is not passed by the community.

The district has worked hard to hold down spending despite the steady rise in costs beyond local control. In order to bring the proposed budget from the originally proposed expenditure increase of 4.48 percent down to one of 4.19 percent, the Capital Project money has been removed from the budget and placed in a separate proposition. The Capital Proposition will be for the replacement of one boiler at Albany Avenue School that has been used since the 1950s, is not reliable and wastes fuel. Through approval of this proposition, a multi-year response to the district's most pressing capital needs can be initiated so that, over the next few years, aging boilers will be replaced districtwide.

While there is only a fraction of a percent difference in the tax increase between an approved budget and a contingent budget, the impact that a contingent budget would have on the school district is considerable. An approved budget allows for community use of buildings and facilities, while a contingent budget requires implementation of the contingent fee schedule for all community groups, such as Youth Council, PAL, Scouts, etc. Other impacts would include the elimination of some late buses; the elimination of capital expenditures; further delaying building repairs that will become more expensive over time; and the elimination of new equipment purchases, including technology and other curriculum-related items. There is still a budget increase as well as a consequent tax increase under a contingent budget.

In addition, each year, the district must borrow money to open school because only 25 percent of its state aid arrives before January, and all of its tax payments arrive after January. The interest rate that the Farmingdale School District pays to borrow money is connected to the community's support of the district, having always passed its budget; the district enjoys the highest possible rating.

The Annual Budget Vote and Election will take place on May 16, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Howitt Middle School East Gymnasium. Residents may register to vote at the district clerk's office, located in the administrative offices at the Howitt Middle School between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays through May 11, as well as during the Community Summit and Health Expo at the Farmingdale High School (May 11, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.). For registration inquiries contact District Clerk Josephine Murray at 752-6552.