Both local school districts are proposing increases in expenditures for the fiscal year 2000-2001, with Massapequa recommending a 9.9 percent increase in spending over last year's budget of $90 million, and Plainedge calling for a growth of 7.5 percent over last year's $38 million dollar plan.

In Massapequa, the increase comes as the new superintendent, Dr. Lawrence Pereira tries to better fund educational programs, which he feels have been inadequately funded for the past several years. He commended the previous administrators and school boards for working hard to keep the tax levy down, but noted that increased funding is now necessary to keep the high level of quality for which Massapequa Schools are known. "Times have really changed, and we've really got to keep up with those changes. We've just got to put more money into the education system, because times demand it - or we can't maintain quality," he said, following a budget presentation to a group of Birch Lane elementary school teachers on Tuesday.

During the talk, he revealed statistics that show that Massapequa is at the bottom of the spectrum of per-pupil spending, at $10,800 per student, second only to Freeport, which expends $9,000 a year. The highest per-pupil spender is Manhasset, at $19,000 per child. Pereira noted that while Massapequa has consistently provided an education that compares in quality to the higher per-pupil spending districts, this cannot be maintained with the current lack of funding, which is being seen in outdated textbooks and program deficits. Special Education, for example, runs a yearly deficit of $80,000, he noted.

He added that although Massapequa increased spending last year by 8.6 percent, only about a quarter of that went to programs, with the rest going toward the repayment of bonds for an ongoing facilities overhaul. This year's increase would be used for an increase in staffing, an increase in the cost of health benefits/social security contributions, mandates and utilities, to plug department deficits from the current year, increased enrollment, debt service payments, and additional transportation costs.

The spending increase in Plainedge focuses on additional instructional staff for the implementation of the nine-period day at the high school, accommodating increased enrollment, new textbooks and library books, staff development, curriculum writing, a testing program to help students meet new state learning standards, the continuation of a multi-year project to bring new technology into the schools, and the purchase of five new mini-buses for the district's fleet.

The Massapequa Board of Education will adopt a 2000-2001 budget on April 13, while the Plainedge board will adopt theirs on April 11. Public hearings will be held on the following dates: for Massapequa - May 4, for Plainedge - May 9. Local taxpayers will head to the polls to vote on the school district budgets on May 16.