Garden City residents approved the 2000-01 school budget on Tuesday, May 16, by a vote of 1,735 to 891. On that day voters also elected School Board Trustees Dr. Nancy Fredericks, John Klupka and Jeff Minett, each for a three year term beginning July 1, 2000.

The budget of $54,896,368 responds to an approximate 3 percent increase in growth and a 9.86 percent increase in spending.

The school budget provides for the following:

* Maintains class-size policy

* Accommodates growth

* Supports and extends instructional programs

* Continues to implement the capital improvement projects

* Introduces new instructional initiatives

* Creates a partnership with Teachers College at Columbia University

* Establishes a writing center at the high school

* Summer school for an identified population (grades 3-12)

* Provides curriculum and professional development

* Accommodates staffing needs

* Provides an assistant principal at the Middle School