On Thursday, May 4, the Massapequa Public School District held an open forum on the 2006-07 school budget.

The theme of the evening---Integrity, Value, Success---was the basis of an overview of the district's status given by Alan Adcock, Assistant Superintendent for Business.

"After an audit by New York State Controller Alan Hevesi, and other independent financial audits that take place on a bimonthly basis," Adcock explained, "our district has been recognized for having strong financial oversight and for its commitment to spending public money wisely and effectively."

To illustrate to the community members in attendance the firm financial footing the district stands on, Adcock outlined the many tangible decisions the district has made to help keep residents' taxes as low as possible.

For example, by renting the Carman Road and Hawthorn schools, the district reduces taxes each year for Massapequa residents by about $1,250,000, he said.

The district, Adcock noted, also entered into an energy performance contract after a study was done by Johnson Controls that allowed the district to complete $8 million worth of energy efficiency work at no additional taxes for community members. Through contract settlements, district employees contribute to their health insurance, which defrays the district's yearly health costs by $1,300,000, he added.

Because of its strong, long-term financial plan, the district's bond rating has improved, which allows for more competitive borrowing rates, Adcock continued. In addition, district administrators participate in a competitive, cooperative bidding process to obtain competitive prices from the qualified service providers, he said.

According to school officials, Massapequa's Board of Education and PTA were also instrumental in obtaining an additional $1.6 million in State Aid to lower taxes. Through a massive letter writing campaign, the two groups worked cooperatively to petition the State Legislature for a fair share of State Aid, resulting in a regional cost adjustment for residents.

As cited in a recent published report, Massapequa, school officials noted, continues to rank with the top districts in Nassau County with less per pupil spending. Among the district's most notable achievements is the National Blue Ribbon for Academic Excellence received by East Lake Elementary School, the successful alignment of the K-12 curriculum, and the improvement in Regents diplomas received by graduating students.

"We are proud to be a 'high value' district," concluded Adcock. "Our favorable per pupil costs versus high student scores and achievements support the statements made by Controller Hevesi of Massapequa schools spending the public's money wisely and effectively."

In addition to Adcock's presentation, Massapequa Superintendent of Schools Dr. Maureen Flaherty also addressed members of the Massapequa community during the district's latest forum on the 2006-2007 school budget.

The purpose of the superintendent's remarks was to provide additional information on topics of interest in the community.

Beginning with data on the district's Advanced Placement (AP) and Secondary Collegiate Articulated Learning Experience (SCALE) classes, Dr. Flaherty clarified that 178 students in Massapequa's Class of 2005 took AP courses, with 697 exams written. "In essence," Dr. Flaherty explained, "33 percent of the Class of 2005 wrote AP exams, with 76.9 percent scoring a 3 or higher," which is the requirement for AP coursework. The district also had 244 students in the SCALE Program, or 45 percent of the Class of 2005. "These numbers are impressive," Dr. Flaherty commented. "They indicate that 57.4 percent of the class of 2005 had a college level experience before leaving Massapequa High School."

Dr. Flaherty also discussed legal fees faced by the district for the 2004-2005 school year.

"In comparison with other Nassau districts' legal fees," Dr. Flaherty stated, "Massapequa is ninth from the bottom with regard to per pupil costs, and spends approximately $28.18 per pupil. The district controls its spending on legal fees quite well."

Dr. Flaherty also shared her concerns for the health and safety of Massapequa's students with regard to the large population of geese that frequent school playgrounds, leaving behind droppings that are hazardous to students in many ways.

The Community Fields Advisory Committee was faced with the task of finding a viable alternative to the fees in excess of $50,000 that many private firms wanted to eliminate the geese, she said.

As a result, the district, Dr. Flaherty noted, formed a partnership with the Town of Oyster Bay and Massapequa Park, and will pay reduced fees of $8,000 this year and the same amount next year to participate in a federally funded program called "Geese Peace."

Through the program, nine schools are visited daily with a trained canine and handler, with the purpose of permanently deterring the geese from flocking on school grounds.

"Geese Peace is the most cost effective solution to this issue," the Superintendent stated. "Receiving the grant to participate in the program gives everyone a win-win outcome."

The Massapequa district would like to remind residents to vote on May 16.

On that date, voters in the Massapequa School District will be voting on a budget that contains a 6.34 percent spending increase and a tax levy increase of 5.7 percent. The total budget comes to $146,635.290.

According to school district officials, an additional $1.6 million in state aid alleviated the budget situation.

Two seats on the board of education are currently open. Incumbents Thomas Caltabiano and Maryanne Fisher will be running, in addition to a challenger, Gary Bennett.

Meanwhile, voters in the Plainedge district will be voting on a $63,555,795 budget.

There will be six candidates running for three BOE seats.

Maryanne Capone and Felice Cantatore will be running for Richard Mallow's BOE seat.

Allan Fox and incumbent Ralph Raymond will be running for another seat.

Finally, Steve Lassman and Frank Presuto will be running for Thomas Dick's unexpired BOE seat. This past September, Presuto was appointed to fill the seat.