The New Hyde Park/Garden City Park residents will be going to the polls on May 15 at the Manor Oaks School, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. to vote for three separate budgets: New Hyde Park/Garden City Park School, Sewanhaka Central High School and Hillside Library Budget, plus three incumbent trustees, who are uncontested, will be on the ballot.

The residents will vote on New Hyde Park/Garden City Park Elementary school budget of $18, 578, 259 which is an increase from last year's budget of $1,126, 458.

The tax rate will increase from $22.44 last year to $23.73 for this year. Therefore, the average taxpayer with a home assessed at $5,400 will pay an increase of $69.83 per year.

Incumbent uncontested trustees on the ballot include: Curtis Axelsen,

Martin Cernese and James Kane.

The Hillside Library budget this year is higher than last year's budget. The budget amount is $90, 770 - a 6.77 percent increase or $60, 327 over last year's budget. According to Library Director Stanley Itkin the increase to residents will be somewhere in the area of $38 per year on a home assessed at approximately $6,000.

Following its annual budget review held on Tuesday, May 1, the Sewanhaka Central High School District Board of Education has begun final preparations for the public vote on its 2001-2002 budget proposal to be held on Tuesday, May 15.

Under this proposal, General Fund spending for the district would increase 8.1 percent to $97,355,330. The overall tax levy would increase 7.6 percent to $75,480,330. The proposed budget includes a tax rate increase of $1.88 per $100 of assessed valuation, an 8.1 percent increase in total expenditures. These figures are based upon a projected 5 percent enrollment increase in students, from 7,813 to 8,163, and also reflect a regional cost of living increase of 3.5 percent.

Superintendents of Schools, Dr. George Goldstein said: "During the 1990s, Sewanhaka has become nationally known as one of the finest school districts in America. Last September, we received recognition that has come to fewer than 1 percent of American school districts; designation by the US Department of Education as a National District of Excellence." Commenting on the budget, Martin Cernese, president of the board of education, added: "To achieve our goals we do not call for unusual new funding. The cost of providing our children with a 'world class' education will continue to be one of the lowest on Long Island."

These are some of the major initiatives, which will be funded in our proposal:

* Academic intervention services for students needing additional help to meet state mandates.

* Twenty additional teaching positions to serve 350 more students attending our schools

* A 10 percent to 13 percent increase in hospitalization premiums

* Increased transportation

* Capital projects, including science room renovations at three schools including: Elmont, Carey and Sewanhaka; Bleacher replacements at Sewanhaka High School; Roof replacement at New Hyde Park Memorial High School in New Hyde Park and Floral Park Memorial High School in Floral Park and upgrading electrical service at Elmont and Floral Park..

* Major capital projects that will provide much needed space for additional students in Elmont Memorial High School:

- Relocation of Central District Offices from Elmont Memorial High School to a site on the campus of Sewanhaka High School.

- Conversion of existing Central Office space at Elmont Memorial into 10 new classrooms.

Dr. Goldstein pointed out that in the 2001-2002 school year, the Sewanhaka District will continue its strategic plan for programs that will bring all of our students to full compliance with Regents standards by the year 2004. "This year will see the most intense academic advancement in the history of our schools," he said, "and our new budget proposal reflects that commitment."

Every eligible voter is urged to vote on Sewanhaka's budget at the Manor Oaks School, Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.