On Tuesday May 20, residents of the Mineola School District will vote on a proposed budget for the 2008-2009 school year. In addition, voters will be asked to elect two members of the five-member board of education.

School board member Mary Ellen Williams announced that she would not be seeking re-election. Running for her seat unopposed will be Terry Hale, the district council PTA president.

When former school board member Lawrence Carroll resigned last year, the board appointment Lisa Lao to fill the position. Lao will be running for the seat against Will Hornberger.

Both seats are three-year terms.

The New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief, headed by Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, concluded its hearings and will issue a preliminary report on May 22.

The commission was formed in January to examine the root causes of high property taxes, identify ways to make the state's property tax system fairer, and develop a fair and effective school property tax cap to hold the line on property tax growth without harming the quality of education.

"In the past three months, the Commission learned that even though there are differences in opinions on certain issues, one thing is certain: everyone agrees that property taxes are crushing New Yorkers and something must be done," said Suozzi.

To view the webcasts from the public meetings and to learn more about the commission, visit www.cptr.state.ny.us.