The Island Trees Board of Education will hold a budget hearing with reference to the proposed 2004-2005 school budget at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4 in the Geneva N. Gallow School.

A budget newsletter outlining the details of the proposed budget has been mailed to all Island Trees residents. Despite the mandated increases in the Empire Medical Plan, the Employee Retirement System and the Teacher’s Retirement System, totaling over $860,000, the 2004-2005 budget proposal represents an increase of $1,897,779 or 4.5 percent over the 2003-2004 budget.

This is the second year in a row that the proposed school budget increase has been under 5 percent. Both yearly increases were among the lowest budget increases presented by any school district in Nassau County.

This budget proposal includes the financing for: continuation of a nine-period day, All-Day Kindergarten, extensive summer program offerings, district-wide music and sports programs, public and private bus transportation, academic intervention services, textbooks, workbooks, library books, supplies, equipment, computer technology and career education offerings.

The budget also contains the funds for district-wide special education needs, including health and speech services for resident students attending private and parochial schools.

In addition, the budget proposal also provides the finances to cover the salaries of all civil service personnel, teaching and related educational personnel, administrators, substitutes and aides.

Board of Education President Robert Condela emphasized, in the budget newsletter, the commitment by the Island Trees Board of Education to be as fiscally responsible as possible. Condela stated, “We always have and always will recognize our responsibility to offer the best educational programs possible while keeping your school taxes as low as possible.”

All interested residents are encouraged to review the budget newsletter and if they have any questions to attend the budget hearing on Tuesday, May 4 at 8 p.m. in the Geneva N. Gallow School.

Registration for Budget Vote – Tuesday, May 4, 4 to 8 p.m., District Clerk’s Office, Geneva N. Gallow School

Budget Hearing – Tuesday, May 4, 8 p.m., General Purpose Room, Geneva N. Gallow School

Budget Vote and Trustee Election – Tuesday, May 18, noon to 9 p.m., gymnasium, Michael F. Stokes School

Regular Board of Education Meeting – Wednesday, May 26, 8 p.m., General Purpose Room, Geneva N. Gallow School