At the last New Hyde Park/Garden City Park School Board meeting Assistant Board President Robert Nugent announced he will not run for reelection in the upcoming election explaining that since the death of his wife he has been a single parent caring for his two daughters and that he must devote all of his time and energy to them.

However, school board president Patricia Rudd said she would seek reelection in the upcoming May 20 election, to be held at the Manor Oaks School from 6 a.m. to 9 p. m. Voter registration will be held on May 6. Voter petitions may be obtained at the Manor Oaks School Administration Office, 1950 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park.

The New Hyde Park/Garden City Park School has announced that its proposed budget for the 2008/2009 school year is $30,590,790 with a 3.44 percent increase. Last year's budget was $29,572,435.

The entire budget may be viewed on the New Hyde Park/Garden City Park website which is www nhp/gcp.org. or a copy of the entire budget may be obtained in the administration office at the Manor Oaks School, 1950 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park.

The major items included that will directly help the students in the budget, are the addition of more SMARTBoards. The goal of the board and administration is to equip all the sixth grades with SMARTBoards and to follow with the fifth grade. The budget focuses heavily on technology including additional computers, a traveling science cart to go from room to room equipped with computers, printers, etc.

Board President Rudd read the following:

"We have all read the articles in Newsday over the last several weeks. The articles have focused attention on the relationships school districts have with attorneys and other professionals. In this regard, at the present time our district is carefully examining its own relationship with school attorneys and other professionals in order to ensure that these relationships are appropriate and in the best interests of the taxpayer.

"Since 1987 Richard Nicolello has provided general counsel services to the board of education. Nicolello has been board counsel for only this district for that entire time period. As general counsel, he provides legal advice to the broad and administration on a board range of laws, regulations and court and administrative decisions relating to the operation of a school district. He also reviews each and every contact submitted to the board and works with the administration in developing policies. Plus, he attends most regular meetings of the board. Nicolello is in constant communication with the board president, superintendent, assistant superintendent and support staff. He has been available to the district on days, nights and weekends.

"Mr. Nicolello has served as a part-time employee of the district since 1987. Mr. Nicolello has requested, and we have agreed, to change his status from part-time employee to independent contractor. He will continue to provide the same services to the New Hyde Park/Garden City Park Board of Education.

"The school district also retains the firm of Lamb and Barnosky to serve as labor counsel. They are the negotiators for the district. Sharon Berlin, of Lamb and Barnosky has provided exceptional legal services to the New Hyde Park/Garden City Park for many years. Lamb & Barnosky provides services pursuant to a written retainer agreement and have always been treated as an independent contractor. All payments for these services have been paid to the firm pursuant to the written agreement and not to an individual of the firm.

"Our district, like school districts all over New York State, is awaiting more specific guidance from the New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and other regulatory agencies as to the most appropriate means by which professional services are rendered to schools. In the meantime, we will continue to review all of our professional service relationships to make sure that services are provided in an appropriate manner.

"As you know the attorney general has asked every school district for information regarding their attorney and has asked this school district for

information regarding its attorney and we continue to comply."

Agenda Format, Business of the Annual District Election, Committees of the Board, Compensation and Expenses, Board Self-Evaluation, School Sponsored Media, Relations With the Municipal Governments, Public Expression at Meetings and Student Participation. The board voted to hold the policy on Regular Board Meetings.

The New Hyde Park/Garden City Park School Board will hold its next budget presentation on March 17 between 7:30 and 9 p.m. at the Manor Oaks School, 1950 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park. At the end of the week on March 20, 21 and 24 the school will be closed for the Easter Holiday.

The next regular school board meeting will be held on April 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Manor Oaks School, 1950 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park.