In April, the general memberships of the Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) of both John Lewis Childs (JLCS) and Floral Park-Bellerose (FPBS) Elementary Schools unanimously approved motions to support the proposed 2006-2007 Floral Park-Bellerose Elementary School District Budget. The JLCS-PTA and the FPBS-PTA urge all residents to vote "YES" May 16.

The NYS PTA recognizes that every child deserves excellence in education and in quality of life. The purpose of the PTA is to be advocates for and to promote the welfare of children and youth in the home, school and community. The JLCS-PTA and FPBS-PTA believe that the board of education has prepared a fiscally prudent budget designed to achieve the goal of providing a continued quality educational experience for all of our children.

Two years ago the proposed school budget was defeated and as a result, programs and services we came to rely on and, which benefited our children, such as the Saturday Cultural Arts program, was cut. In addition, the use of fields and facilities was restricted, student fees were increased, capital projects were canceled and computer and equipment purchases were eliminated. Last year our budget passed and all programs were reinstated.

It is our responsibility to be advocates for the children of the Floral Park-Bellerose communities to secure for them excellence in education. Yes, it is challenging, as taxpayers, to maintain such a high quality of life in our wonderful communities but a defeated budget will not afford our children the education and services we have come to expect and they deserve.

On behalf of the JLCS-PTA and the FPBS-PTA, thank you for your support of our children and please vote "YES" May 16!

Deborah Sawicki, President, JLCS-PTA

Rosaleen Shea, President, FPBS-PTA