The Island Trees Board of Education officially adopted its budget for the 2002-2003 school year at a special meeting held this past Tuesday, April 23. The budget represents a 7.6 percent increase compared to last year's budget. The district has sent a newsletter explaining all details of the budget to all homeowners in Island Trees.

At the meeting, Superintendent of Schools Richard N. Segerdahl explained to those in attendance that 6.26 percent of the budget increase represents funds for educational needs and the remaining 1.34 percent represents capital improvement projects. He added that the estimated increase for a homeowner would be $8.55 per $100 of assessed valuation.

Segerdahl noted several highlights of the budget, including a full summer program, which offers several programs including a first to sixth-grade YES program, an instructional music program, 16 sports camps, a science research program, a summer high school health program, summer academic intervention, electronic music technology, driver education, high school evening recreation, a five-week summer SCOPE extended day child care program and a summer SCOPE preschool program. Segerdahl noted that the summer preschool program will provide students who are entering full day kindergarten or preschool with 15 days of preparation activities.

The budget also includes a complete educational program, continuing the commitment to early educational intervention with all day kindergarten and low class sizes in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. The full cost of a nine period day in both the middle and high school is also included in the budget. Segerdahl explained that the district's growing student population necessitates the hiring of additional staff in the areas of kindergarten, reading, social studies, math, business, English and science. In addition, money has been allocated for before school programs to help students meet the English/Language arts, math and social studies standards in grades four, five and eight.

Segerdahl explained that the 1.34 percent of the budget representing capital improvements will be for the replacement of the roof at Sparke School, the high school auditorium room and the installation of a folding wall in a large high school classroom area.

Board of Education President Kathy Safrey noted that the district worked hard to present a conservative budget to voters, particularly because of the continued decrease of state aid, which is down $552,534 when compared to last year.

"The last two years have been very difficult financially with the governor continually decreasing state aid to school districts," she said. "When state aid is reduced we are faced with very difficult decisions. We either have to reduce programs and staff or unfortunately raise taxes. We have tried our best to present our residents with the lowest budget possible while providing a complete educational program. We ask our residents for their support and trust to allow us to continue to provide the excellent educational programs for the children of Island Trees."

Segerdahl noted that the board has been very prudent in watching the budget and noted that last year the average taxpayer in Island Trees paid $3,183 in school taxes compared to the average Nassau County tax bill of $4,870. He also noted that 87 percent of homeowners in Nassau County's K through 12 school districts pay higher taxes than those in Island Trees.

"While keeping the taxes low, we have also been very competitive in Nassau County with our student scores, Regents results, music and art programs, athletics, Science Olympiads and Robotic competitions," he said. "I give credit to the board for being able to keep taxes down while continuing to offer great programs to the students in the district."

There will be a public hearing regarding the budget on Tuesday, May 7 at 8 p.m. in the Geneva N. Gallow Elementary School. Residents are invited to address the board on any comments or concerns regarding the budget. The budget vote is on Tuesday, May 21.