Those attending the meeting of the Mineola Board of Education on Thursday know that the board is facing some difficult decisions. Faced with the reality that expenses are increasing and the fact that district residents have failed two of the past three budgets, the board and the district must prepare for a contingency budget even though the hope is that the budget the board will eventually propose will be passed in May.

As promised, Mineola Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lorenzo Licopoli presented three different scenarios concerning the 2006-2007 educational plan and budget Thursday night.

If the board were to adopt a 2006-2007 budget that reflected the exact same program the district is currently providing, the budget increase from the 2005-2006 budget would be 9.57 percent with a tax levy or amount of the budget to be funded by tax dollars increasing by 10.11.

Because the board doesn't feel it is feasible to pass a budget with this type of increase, Dr. Licopoli also proposed a budget with $2,077,764 in reductions. Those reductions would include teachers, teacher aides, clerical staff, an administrator and the accountant's position along with some equipment.

Even with over $2 million in reductions, that budget proposal still calls for an increase of 5.32 percent with a tax level increase of 5.5 percent. With the reality that the taxpayers may have reached their threshold with regard to taxes, the board of education must also think about a contingency budget even months before the budget vote.

If the board's proposed budget is failed by the public on Tuesday, May 16, the date of the budget vote, the board can opt to modify the budget and put it before voters again or go right to a contingency budget. To adopt a contingency budget, the board would have to cut another $1,272,000.

According to the report released by the Finance Planning Committee and Zero-based Budget Sub-Committee, 84 percent of the 2005-2006 budget was comprised of salaries and benefits. With many of the salaries and benefits required to be paid as part of the district's contractual obligations, the board will have to turn its attention to cutting programs and services that benefit the students of the school district.

If the board has to adopt a contingency budget, there could be possible cuts to the district's intramural sports program, the music and performing arts program, the sports program and the prekindergarten program, which could be eliminated. The district could also find itself outsourcing its transportation.

Understandably, the idea that some of the programs that make up the quality of the education received in the district could be in jeopardy had residents speaking passionately at the board meeting.

Matt Sanderleaf, president of the Mineola Athletic Booster Club, read a letter urging the board to support the sports program. Sanderleaf made mention of the Mineola boys soccer team, which brought the school community together with its Long Island championship. Sanderleaf pointed out that without the sports program, there would be no opportunity for Mineola student-athletes to achieve high honors among their fellow athletes from different communities. It was also pointed out that taking away sports or performing arts is taking away the experiences that shape students into men and women with high character.

John Napolitano urged the board to keep the intramural sports program, which gives those, who aren't on a sports team, a chance to stay athletically active. Napolitano said such a program is important at a time when childhood obesity has become an issue.

The board also heard from Linda Cloghessy, who, along with husband John, put five children through the Mineola school system. Mrs. Cloghessy spoke about how sports and music helped her children get a well-rounded education and helped them on their college applications to get into the schools they wanted to attend.

Mrs. Cloghessy also went on to say that students need opportunities to grow and learn about leadership, success and failures, lessons that extra-curricular activities provide.

Neither Dr. Licopoli nor any of the members of the board of education want to cut any programs that benefit the students. The board is not going to give up on passing its proposed budget in May and will have numerous meetings to discuss the budget and possible cuts. The board believes the public will ultimately decide through its vote whether all the programs should remain intact.