Residents of the Mineola School District passed an operating budget for the 2002-2003 school year by a 854-709 margin. The 2002-2003 budget calls for an additional $59,177,490 in expenditures, $1,688,846 more than the 2001-2002 school budget the school district is currently operating under.

Although the 2002-2003 budget reflects only a 2.94 percent increase in expenditures, the increase in the tax levy or amount to be raised by taxes is 8.3 percent over the 2001-2002 budget.

With an increase in expenditures, a decrease in assessed valuation in Mineola by $1.3 million, a decrease in the district allocated fund balance, and a freeze in state aid districts have been experiencing, residents will see an increase of approximately $6.03 per $100 of assessed valuation.

With the 2002-2003 budget passing, residents of the Mineola School District will pay $65.94 per $100 of assessed valuation. Last year, resident approved a budget with a tax rate of $59.92 per $100 of assessed valuation. The increase in expenditures for the 2002-2003 budget include the replacement of four passenger budget, increase in debt service in accordance to the referendum schedule, recommendation for increasing building and facility security and a medical insurance increase projected at 10 percent.

In putting together what they believe is a fiscally responsible budget, district administrators and members of the board of education pint out that there is no increase in overall staffing in all areas of district operations.

The budget, the district feels, supports the Mineola Union Free School District's mission, core values and strategic objectives.