State Senator Carl L. Marcellino was the guest of the North Shore Board of Education meeting of March 9.

The meeting began with Superintendent Ed Melnick's statement that the district's proposed budget increase is 6.9 percent. If voters choose contingency, taxes still rise for about one-quarter of residents. Yearly district budget increases are among the smallest in New York, the superintendent said, adding, "Yet we can't do that anymore. And taxpayers continue to suffer." Unfunded mandates from Albany coupled with less state aid push the burden on a district suffocating between sustaining their quality program and presenting a passable budget. In response to this, said Board President Tom Murphy, the board invited Sen. Marcellino to discuss the issues "as an ally."

Long Island represents 7.45 percent of the state's student enrollment, but receives 3.9 percent of state education aid. State aid formulas measure property within a district to determine aid amounts. As Nassau property soars in value, state aid decreases with no consideration for regional costs. Funding a district on the island costs 33 percent more, compared to other regions in the state. "It's a flawed and unfair system," said Mr. Murphy.

"The system is broken," said Sen. Marcellino, adding that because there is no cost of living index considered, the system will remain broken unless a statewide formula is implemented. "We know we need to bring more money to Long Island," he said.

There is no proposal to factor regional costs in the state aid formulas, but Sen. Marcellino has talked to legislators about making changes, according to Kathy Wilson, the senator's communication director. "It's not considered yet, but there are other ways to drive aid right now," she said.

North Shore will never receive a dollar for dollar amount in state aid-that is not how progressive income tax works. The wealthy pay more, but this does not mean the system is currently fair. A cost-of-living factor is needed, according to Sen. Marcellino.

Board members criticized continued unfunded mandates from Albany, which give the district less autonomy. Last year the board controlled just $1.4 million in the $68.5 million budget, according to trustee Carolyn Genovesi.

"It's very hard to explain [that] a vote against the budget will still increase taxes, but the $10 or so difference a month makes our district what it is," she said.

Unfunded mandates at times burden high performing districts which already exceed requirements. Dr. Melnick often cites the additional cost of funding No Child Left Behind testing that comes without enough state aid, and also interferes with curriculum. The board is forced to spend money and raise the budget without any control in these matters.

"Please, prohibit any further unfunded mandates without giving aid," pleaded Amy Beyer, while most in the audience applauded.

Trustee George Pombar criticized the STAR rebate proposal from Gov. George Pataki that offers $400 to taxpayers in districts keeping budget increases below 4 percent. "To have Albany reward people for voting against a budget ... morally, it takes us down," said Mr. Pombar. A 4 percent budget increase is not realistic, added trustee Amy Beyer.

Sen. Marcellino agreed, calling the idea "lousy" and "terrible" for encouraging people to vote against a budget. "We shouldn't be bribing people," he said, later adding that he has faith the "$400 bounty" won't survive.

Trustee Igor Webb told the senator that Albany's proposal for a single day of voting hurts the district. If a referendum or the budget fails, under the proposal there is no second vote. People don't come out and vote unless a crisis occurs, and many budgets voted down pass overwhelmingly in a second vote, said an Old Brookville resident. That proposal bothers Sen. Marcellino, but he said it has support and may pass.

"At times I wonder what is going through people's heads," he said. "It is lazy people's democracy ... to not have a board meeting with this many people is criminal." Unlike normal meetings, a large number of residents attended this meeting, filling much of the high school theater.

In conclusion, Sen. Marcellino congratulated the district for the compliment received on their auditing by Alan Hevesi, the state comptroller. Mr. Hevesi has said of North Shore, "The solid financial controls and strong board oversight that we found in place at North Shore School District are an indication of the district's commitment to ensuring that public money is spent wisely."

The proposed budget started at $76,090,070, a 10.8 percent increase. The board removed two additional teaching positions, two additional high school monitors, one school bus, $35,000 in new technology equipment and a number of building and ground expenses, according to Supt. Melnick.

The high school roof referendum shifts $1.2 million out of the budget into a bond, but if the vote fails, the money re-enters the budget. The board's hope is that the district votes for the referendum so the roof costs can be paid over time. That leaves the proposed budget increase at 6.9 percent or 8.7 percent with the roof.

The board's comeback items considered for removal include some staff development funding, equipment for project "Lead the Way" at the middle school, resurfacing and relining of the high school tennis courts and two support teaching positions for gifted education. "The board will probably remove additional items at the March 23 meeting," said Dr. Melnick.

Last year due to reassessment one-third of residents had taxes increase, one-third had a decrease and one-third remained the same. This would have occurred even if the budget failed. Dr. Melnick predicts that the outlook seems better this year. "We are predicting that half our residents will see a reduction in their taxes, one-quarter will remain about the same and one-quarter will increase ... regardless of whether the budget and bond pass or not," he said.

By April 1 the district hopes to have solid estimates comparing the difference in cost each month between a contingency and a passed budget.

The North Shore Board of Education will next meet on Thursday, March 23 at 8p.m. at the high school Alumni Room, not at the middle school as was previously advertised.