Massapequa Schools Superintendent James Brucia last week unveiled a preliminary 1999-2000 budget plan that includes a 10.65 percent tax increase over this year, saying most of the hike was accounted for by the settlement of union contracts, the opening of the Ames School for ninth graders, other bond-funded school construction, and special program changes, such as a nine-period day proposal for the high school.

The $90.2 million budget increases taxes by $6.4 million over this year's $80.6 million budget, based on projected revenue from state aid. The tax rate increase per homeowner is estimated to be $5.28 per $100 of assessed valuation. This year's budget, which was approved by voters in May, 1998, increased taxes by 3.72 percent, or $1.67 per $100 of assessed valuation.

"This year, we have a number of different projects and issues that are coming together at the same time," Brucia said when introducing the plan to the public and the Massapequa Board of Education at their Feb. 4 meeting.

"What's exciting about this budget is that it's really a great budget to improve this place for kids," he added, although acknowledging that the cost would hurt taxpayers' wallets. "But if this budget is going to pass, it's really going to have to be sold and talked about as a very pro-kid budget."

Brucia also expressed dissatisfaction with the amount that Governor Pataki's Executive Budget proposes to increase Massapequa's school aid for next year. According to Brucia, Massapequa is slated to get about $600,000 more than this year.

To shrink the tax increase, rather than reducing spending in Massapequa, Brucia referred to an increase in state aid as, "the best thing that we can hope for."

Also at the meeting, Massapequa High School Principal James Maloney unveiled the proposal to change the daily schedule of the school from eight periods to nine. It is a method that many school districts are using to increase curriculum offerings to help students meet tougher state learning requirements, including more stringent graduation requirements.

"It's almost impossible in my judgment to meet the necessary state standards with the eight-period day," he said, noting that the administration needs the extra period to schedule many students into remedial classes. He added that the change could be made with minor adjustments to students' schedules, and would ensure that all students would have a designated lunch period. (Ten percent of students at Massapequa High School currently share their lunch period with another course.) It would also allow BOCES students an additional period in which to schedule required courses for the required Regents Diploma, and would enable others to take more Advanced Placement classes.

Students would be required to select a minimum of 6 classes, plus Physical Education per day. They currently are required to take 5 classes plus physical education.

The plan would reduce each period from 44 minutes to 41 minutes, and would add 5 minutes to the school day, which is allowable under the current teachers' contract, according to Superintendent Brucia. It also calls for the hiring of 6 new teachers to teach additional courses, with an estimated total cost of approximately $300,000 per year.

After some school board members expressed concerns with the cost of the plan, the board agreed to include it as an item for consideration within 1999-2000 school district budget negotiations.

For example, Trustee Richard Sorvillo said, "Timing-wise for me, it's a little odd for this to be presented, being that we're going into the budget process." He added that he is concerned that the cost of the model will increase over the years.

Trustee Robert Thompson expressed concern that the teachers' salary estimate was low, and said that this cost needs to be further discussed.

Diane Krakoff, vice president of the board, expressed support for the plan. "I can't imaging going another year without a 9-period day at the high school," she said.

Trustee Arlene Martin reserved her opinion on it.

Board president Christine Nottonson said, "I think this is certainly worth the investment, and we should try to find the money."

Many parents who were at the meeting expressed support for the nine-period day. For example, Maria Samuelson said, "My daughter and her friends were crying to me, 'Please come to this meeting tonight,'" noting that these high school students want an extra period to schedule elective courses.