The Manhasset Board of Education has scheduled its third budget hearing for April 28, at which time it is expected to adopt the budget. Two budget discussions were held during regularly scheduled board meetings. Proposals are contingent upon the board of education's adoption of the proposed 1998-1999 budget and voter approval on Tuesday, May 19. The proposed budget of $47,631,793 represents an increase of 4.92 percent from the 1997-1998 budget, of which $715,698 or 1.58 percent is due to the debt service on the bond issue passed in 1996. Since those figures were announced, New York State has restored some of the money that had been taken away from school districts in Governor George Pataki's budget. Whether or not that will have any effect on the Manhasset School District budget has not been announced. The budget also includes the increases given to the teachers under the new contract signed last June.

The public hearing on the adopted 1998-1999 school budget will be held on Tuesday, May 12 in the secondary school board room at 8 p.m. prior to a regularly scheduled board meeting.

The budget vote and election of board of education members will be held on Tuesday, May 19,1998, from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the secondary school gymnasium. Residents are reminded that they must be pre-registered to vote.

"The budget process starts with the district's educational strategy, which begins with the District's Mission Statement," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Maria Petraglia. "This philosophical expression is the foundation upon which our Standards of Excellence are constructed. Teacher and parent input is achieved through the shared decision making process, and serves to enhance the leadership of the building principals, administration and board of education.

"With an educational strategy in place, requests for new programs can be evaluated and prioritized. Unfortunately, due to financial restraints, not all valid requests received each year can be included in the budget," she said. "We strive each year to present a budget which is fair to both our students and district taxpayers."

As a matter of fact, the Mission Statement lacks specificity and is sufficiently vague that academic questions remain open. The statement follows:

"The Mission of the Manhasset Public Schools, in partnership with the Manhasset community, is to develop all learners into exceptionally capable citizens functioning at their highest intellectual abilities and willing to commit themselves to successful achievement which benefits the larger society."

From a summary issued by the school district, it appears that the new programs are heavily slanted toward research and enrichment programs.

New Programs include:

* expanded math research for grades seven and eight. Seventh grade students enrolled in math research will have an additional period each week with their teacher to develop research skills and receive individualized assistance on research projects.

* expanded math research for grades nine and 10. This expanded program will enable students who are interested to complete a three-year sequence in math research and submit projects in the Advanced Westinghouse Prep competition.

* grade eight Italian. Grade eight Italian enables students in the middle school to continue their course sequence that was begun last year.

* social science research for grade 10. This expanded program will enable students who are interested to complete a three-year sequence in social science research and submit projects in the Advanced Westinghouse Prep competition.

* advanced placement art. This college level course will provide challenges for students with artistic ability.

There has been a tremendous growth in music programs which has resulted in expanding music groups such as:

* high school wind ensemble. This course, which is similar to the Chamber Orchestra, would be open to proficient musicians performing at an advanced level.

* ninth grade chorus. This course is being offered to accommodate the large number of students in grades 10 through 12.

After School and Co-Curricular Initiatives

* Expansion of extended day learning program for math and language arts, grades K-4. This program was initiated last year for grades 5 and 6. There is also a proposed expansion of elementary after-school homework center.

Added personnel proposed are three elementary teaching positions; part-time art, music and physical education teachers for Munsey Park; part-time psychology, speech and early childhood intervention teachers for Shelter Rock; middle school special education sections in math, English, science and social studies; high school special education sections for math science and biology. There is no recommendation for an additional science teacher for the elementary schools although 250 parents signed a petition requesting such an appointment.

The budget recommends adding three sports teams: middle school girls swimming team, middle school boys swimming team and a high school boys JV volleyball team.