At the last New Hyde Park/Garden City Park School Board budget hearing, the tax rate was projected at 4.66 percent increase, or an 84 cent increase. However, when contacted after the meeting, Superintendent Joseph Rudaitis indicated that the actual assessed valuations which were received two days later on April 1 came in lower than the Nassau County assessor's office had originally projected.

While original projections were that assessed valuations would increase by approximately $250,000, the actual members showed a decrease of $257,343. Rudaitis said that the impact of this decrease will raise the tax rate to 4.99 percent or just under 99 cents. This means that the average homeowner will have to pay an additional $53.44 per year.

Rudaitis added, "Assessed valuation is something that we have no control over. Each year we are informed on April 1 whether or not the figures have increased or decreased. Apparently more people in the district are having their property assessed downward. Last year, we lost $768,000. This year, the decrease was smaller, but it still hurts!"

The next meeting of the New Hyde Park/Garden City Park Board of Education will be held on April 6 at 8 p.m. at Manor Oaks School and at that time the board is expected to vote to adopt the budget. The board will meet at 7 p.m. and immediately convene to executive session to discuss personnel matters and negotiations.