The night was celebratory for many reasons - the school year was coming to an end, students made outstanding academic and athletic achievements and the Levittown school budget passed on the June 9 revote.

The yes votes outnumbered the no votes in all nine polling districts in an astonishing 1,400 difference. Levittown's school budget for the 2004-2005 year totals $145,082,285, increasing spending by 5.9 percent over the current budget.

"Every polling place passed and that's what we wanted to see," said Board of Education Vice President Diane Shapiro.

Students, parents and administrators filled the board room of Levittown Memorial to capacity for presentations, awards, retirements and budget results.

Students from the Northside school put on a rendition of Jeop-bear-dy where they held a question and answer session, similar to the television quiz show, on various facts about bears. The girls track team received awards for their accomplishments throughout the season. They also received a surprise from their coach, as they qualified to compete in the Nationals in Raleigh, NC. This is a first for the school district. The girls softball team earned the Nassau County Championship title for the second year in a row. Students from Wisdom Lane were recognized for placing in a county Spanish exam. School administrators and personnel were retiring and CSE volunteers were acknowledged for their contributions and dedication.

Trustee Paul Granger is resigning from his board position and will be taken over by Roseann Gullans. Granger served as a board of education trustee from 1998-2004.

"It has been an honor and privilege to serve the community and the school district," Granger said. "My six-year tenure has been very positive and rewarding."

The evening, however, wasn't completely filled with applause and cheers. The public be heard section of the scheduled school board meeting set a drastically somber tone. A maturation workshop that was recently held by the Northside and Abbey Lane PTAs was discussed and some parents were not happy with the video or the organization that provided the video. Sue Dunninger, a parent of distrct students, asked for clarity and definitive answers as to why Planned Parenthood came into the district.

"How and why did we link a maturation video to Planned Parenthood?" questioned Dunninger.

Another parent, Walter Butler inquired about jurisdiction over the PTA's agenda.

"There are alternative organizations that do the same kinds of workshops and they need to be looked into," Butler said.

Later on Superintendent Dr. Herman Sirois said they do not have any jurisdiction over the PTA and they support them.

"We do not sensor them [the PTA] or any other groups," Dr. Sirois said. "However, any association with Planned Parenthood is not authorized by the school district. It was not a program for children, it was a program for adults."

Sue Pou, Abbey Lane PTA president also addressed the board. She said that they did not allow any children at the meeting.

"When we presented the maturation workshop it was brought to parents as an informational item," Pou said.

"We are very careful about what we present to children," Dr. Sirois said. "And we are not opposed to notifying parents prior to showing videos."