At the April 13 meeting of the Massapequa Board of Education, the 2000-01 school budget was adopted, with my recommendation. Following the board action, two comments made by members of the audience reflected the struggle with which the board had wrestled in preparing the budget.

The first speaker noted that many in the community were on fixed incomes, and that increased taxes were becoming a stifling burden. She pointed out that the financial problems of Nassau County, as well as the proposed reassessment, had many very concerned about higher school taxes.

The second speaker stated that the adopted budget was the most educationally and fiscally sound budget approved in many, many years. It was pointed out that the budget addressed critical needs of the district, needs that must be met if we are to provide a quality educational program.

Both speakers were correct. The budget of $99,569,211 will be presented to the community on May 16 for vote. It reflects a 9.9 percent increase over the current year, and calls for a tax increase of approximately 13.6 percent. It is designed to address a fact that many in Massapequa find startling: our investment in education, measured by per pupil expenditure, is less than every K-12 school district in Nassau County except one. We cannot meet community expectations for educational excellence at this spending level.

The truth is that in an effort to keep taxes as low as possible, a rate that may be the lowest in Nassau County, compromises have been made over the years. The accumulated effect of those compromises has resulted in outdated textbooks, antiquated equipment, insufficient staff training, and reliance on borrowing to make ends meet. To their credit, school officials have worked diligently over the years to hold spending down, and staff has responded by providing quality programs with very little financial support. We have come to a point, however, where we must go to the community and request greater funding. The cupboard is bare and quality education cannot be maintained.

The proposed budget is a start. Taxes will still be among the lowest in our county, and per pupil spending will still be thousands below the county average. However, we will be on our way to restoring a better balance between the educational needs of our students, and the financial needs of our community.

Members of the Board of Education and our staff are available to discuss the budget at any time, but specifically at the budget hearing and the May 11 board meeting to be held at 8 p.m. in Massapequa High School.

Dr. Lawrence E. Pereira

Superintendent of Schools