At their April 17 special meeting, the Levittown Board of Education adopted a budget of $119,586,057, with an associated tax levy of $82.47, which will be voted on by district residents on May 15.

The increase in the budget is $7.71 per 100 assessed valuation. This is the blended tax rate because the district has not yet determined what the Class I rate will be. For the average Levittown homeowner, the increase will be $401.

Prior to the adoption of the budget, the board held a hearing, where several residents spoke about what they would like to see included in this year's budget. The first request, which has been voiced throughout the year, was that the district reduce the bus mileage for the high school.

Eight residents, who are involved in the Friends of Levittown Lacrosse requested that the district carefully consider the athletic budget and put money in the budget for lacrosse uniforms and equipment. They stated that in the past they have used their fund-raising money to purchase new equipment and uniforms for the Wisdom Lacrosse team, and noted that that money should be used for scholarships and other sorts of things, not things that the district should be buying. Doris Ramo presented the board with a Wisdom Lacrosse team photo in which the students are wearing football uniforms. Other parents noted that Division team members wear uniforms that say Division while the uniforms of others say Dragons. Mike Kelly noted that Levittown athletes should look presentable when they represent the community to other schools. John Terrillion commented that coaches should have cell phones in case of an emergency, noting that when a student from anther team was injured during a lacrosse game at Division, they had to run to the school to call for an ambulance. He added that the coaches should also have defibrillators.

Though the board has decided not to reduce the bus mileage, the athletic department is receiving additional funding in the proposed budget. According to the Assistant Superintendent for Business Dr. Alan Groveman, based on the usage of the high school buses, they have found that the additional cost is not worth it. He also noted that each middle and high school team will be getting AED units. According to Groveman, these units are not recommended for elementary school age children. He said that there is also money included in the budget for new equipment, uniforms and coaches.

Other items contributing to the increase in the budget, are reduced class size in grades one and two, additional busing, additional special education costs, additional support services leading toward a nine period day at the high school which is only being partially implemented this year, and an additional guidance counselor and social worker at the middle school level.

The board's final budget hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 8 at 8 p.m. in the board room at the Levittown Memorial Education Center.