Qualified Great Neck Public School District residents may vote on the proposed 2006-07 school budget on Tuesday, May 16, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., at the E.M. Baker School, 69 Baker Hill Road (for voters residing north of the LIRR) and at the South High School, 341 Lakeville Road (for voters residing south of the LIRR).

Four budget hearings are scheduled during March, April, and May: Monday, March 6, North High, 8 p.m. (informal hearing); Monday, March 27, South High, 8 p.m. (informal hearing); Monday, April 10, North Middle, 8:30 p.m. (official hearing and adoption of proposed budget); and Monday, May 8, South Middle, 8 p.m. (discussion only). The budget hearings of March 6, March 27, and May 8 are preceded by student recognitions that generally run 30-40 minutes. The Board of Education will adopt the Proposed Budget for 2006-07 at the April 10 meeting.

Residents are encouraged to attend the budget hearings and to respond to the Preliminary Budget. Firm decisions on the Budget will not be made until the board listens to the community's concerns at the March and April hearings.

Copies of the Preliminary Budget will be available as of Friday, March 3, at the Office of the District Clerk, Phipps Administration Building, 345 Lakeville Road, school days, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. They will also be distributed at the hearings. Reference copies may be perused in each public school and in the Great Neck Library, all branches, as of Friday, March 3. For additional information, call 773-1413. Residents who have voted in any school or general election since 2002, are automatically registered to vote in the school election on May 16. Residents who have not voted since 2002 or are not registered, may register at the Office of the District Clerk, Phipps Administration Building, 345 Lakeville Road, on school days, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Residents must be 18 years of age or older, a citizen of the United States, and have lived in the district for at least 30 days. Registration deadline is Thursday, May 11.

Qualified, registered voters can obtain applications for absentee ballots from the Office of the District Clerk, Phipps Administration Building, 345 Lakeville Road, on school days, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Residents who are qualified voters and whose registration records have been marked "permanently disabled" by the Board of Elections will automatically receive absentee ballots. Completed absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5 p.m., on Tuesday, May 16.

For information about voter registration and absentee ballots, call 773-1413, on schooldays.