At its April 8 meeting, Manhasset's five-member Board of Education unanimously adopted the proposed budget for the 1999-2000 school year.

Development of the 1999-2000 budget begins as work-in-progress in the fall of each school year. The proposed budget was developed with input from the instruction, support and administrative staffs, and reflects the mission of the district in that it is instructionally sound as well as being fiscally responsible.

The board has been reviewing the document since February and budget discussion has involved members of the SCA, the Citizens' Advisory Committee (CAC) on school finance. Three Board of Education meetings have included budget discussions and opportunities for public input.

The proposed budget totals $49,498,523, an increase of $1,866,730 or 3.92 percent over the current school year. The tax rate assessment blended over the four property classifications will be $42.740 per $100 of assessed valuation.

Shane Higuera, assistant superintendent for business, reported that there is good news from the county assessor's office. As of April 1, Manhasset's property assessment value has increased by $2.148 million, reducing the blended tax rate increase from a projected 5.02 percent to 3.87 percent. Actual tax rates will vary based on the county and state adjusted base proportion formulas.

The 1999-2000 budget maintains the current instructional program and staffing based on enrollment needs. The budget further provides extra support for students enabling them to meet New York State Learning Standards, Manhasset standards and the revised state mandates that will be going into effect during the next school year.

Health and safety needs, added student extracurricular activities and funding to meet priorities in the district's five-year capital improvement plan and five-year technology plan have been addressed.

Among the new programs and related staffing, modifications and redeployment included in the budget are:

* District Coordinator for Elementary Language Arts.

* Elementary Science/Health Teacher

* Elementary Music Teacher (part-time) to offer third graders string instruction

* High School Special Education Consultant Teacher

* High School Science Teacher (part-time)

* High School Reading Teacher

* Typist clerk (shared position) for Middle School and High School Library Media Centers

* Senior Project

* High School Graduate Follow-Up Study

* Treble Choir (replacing the current 9th grade choir)

* 7th Grade Accelerated Science

* African American College Fair

* Summer School 7th-8th Grade Math and Language Arts

* Career Corner in Middle School Media Center and College and Career Corners in the High School Media Center -- to provide student resources for career and counseling

* Ecology Club (Shelter Rock)

* Chess Club (Munsey Park)

* Assistant Director of Marching Band

* Future Business Leaders of America Club

* Peer Drug Educators Club

* Sign for Love Club

* Varsity Boys Volleyball Team

* Increased security personnel at Shelter Rock

* Part-time Supervisory Aide for Shelter Rock

* Part-time Registered Nurse for Munsey Park

* Added trainer for the athletic program

* Replacement of a 72-passenger bus, a small van and district vehicle

* New exterior bleachers at secondary school football field

* Repair and Upholster auditorium seats at Shelter Rock

* Replace secondary stage curtains at Shelter Rock

The Citizens' Advisory Committee on School Finance has met four times and has endorsed the 1999-2000 budget. The CAC membership, comprised of local residents, appointed by the Board of Education who are representative of community interest, attitudes and backgrounds, annually reviews the proposed operating budget.

The annual school budget vote and election of one Board of Education member will be held on Tuesday, May 18, from 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. at the Manhasset High School gymnasium.

As required by law, a public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11 at 8 p.m. in the second floor board room at Manhasset Secondary School. The hearing will be held prior to a regularly scheduled board meeting.

Residents are reminded that qualified voters must be pre-registered to vote on May 18. Voter registration days are: Wednesday, May 5, 3 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, May 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Tuesday, May 11, 3 to 8 p.m. Registration is held in the high school health/athletic conference room. Enter through the gymnasium doors and follow the signs to the conference room. Voters may check on their registration status by calling the district at 627-4400, ext. 3040 or the County Board of Elections at 571-2411.

Detailed copies of the 1999-2000 school budget will be available beginning May 4, in the district's central office, in the principal's office at each school and in the Manhasset Public Library. Questions about the school budget should be addressed to Shane Higuera, assistant superintendent for business, at 627-4400, ext. 3040.