On Tuesday, May 20 North Shore residents will be asked to vote on two propositions and may vote on each proposition separately. The $80,933,386 budget proposal represents a 4.9 percent increase from last year - one of the lowest budget-to-budget percentage changes in many years. The difference between the contingency budget and the proposed 2008-09 budget is less than 1 percent, or approximately $5 per month for the average district home. This small increase will enable the district to maintain class sizes at the Nassau County average, provide students and faculty with access to up-to-date instructional technology and software, and maintain the current scope and quality of academic programs and extracurricular and interscholastic activities This year alone, the proposed budget reflects a reduction of close to $500,000 in transportation costs as a result of the completion of a new transportation depot and a decrease of more than $200,000 in energy costs as a result of the energy management contract negotiated by the board. These two board actions will save North Shore residents close to $50 million in school property taxes over the next 25 years.

A capital reserve fund would be established to a maximum of $8 million for capital projects to be completed during the next 10 years. The capital reserve fund would be funded by an initial transfer of $2.6 million from the district's repair reserve fund, which currently contains $5 million resulting from a PILOT agreement between LIPA and Nassau County for the Glenwood Landing generators. In subsequent years, a portion of the unspent monies that the district is able to save from the previous year's budget, otherwise known as the fund balance, will be used.

If approved, the capital reserve fund will be used for the following maintenance projects to be completed during the next 5-10 years:

replacement of the internal ceilings in the older portions of the high school, middle school, Glen Head and Glenwood Landing;

replacement of the original boilers in Sea Cliff and the middle school;

replacement of the middle school library and cafeteria roof; and

upgrading, repair and replacement of heating and ventilation systems in the older portions of Glen Head, the middle school and high school

This is yet another example of how the North Shore BOE has conscientiously planned ahead to benefit its community members. Establishing the capital reserve fund will enable the district to save for these costly projects without further burdening the residents.

The budget vote and the election of trustees will take place on Tuesday, May 20, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the high school gymnasium. Amy Beyer is seeking re-election and community member Mary Kolkhorst is seeking election to the North Shore Board of Education for the upcoming 2008-09 school year.

Call Superintendent Dr. Edward Melnick at 277-7801 or email him at melnicke@northshoreschools.org with any questions. For the latest budget news, visit www.northshoreschools.org