The proposed budget for the 2001-2002 school year at the Plainview Old Bethpage Central School District is $77,719,331, which is 7.89 percent higher than the current year's budget. There are several major reasons for this increase, according to the board of education.

One contributing factor is that the interest payments attached to the bond issue that was passed in 1999 are hitting the budget for the first time. Also, the fourth grade is being added to Pasadena Elementary School and student enrollment is rising across the district. According to the board of education, health insurance and Social Security payments for district employees have risen significantly. The estimated tax increase on the proposed budget is $5.78 per $100 of assessed valuation.

The budget adds new faculty positions to keep pace with increasing student enrollment and to maintain small class sizes, new courses for students at Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School and new co-curricular activities at the middle and the high school. The budget also permits the district to automate the libraries at Parkway School and Old Bethpage School, as Pasadena and Stratford Road School are already automated, purchase additional computer hardware and software for each of the schools and provide needed staff development for teachers on the many uses of instructional technology.

The budget also provides additional staff for students with disabilities and social worker positions to assist students dealing with difficult situations at home and in school. Finally, this budget includes funds for roof replacement work and the high school, re-surfacing the high school tennis courts, installing new lockers at Mattlin Middle School, upgrading the POB Middle School Library and making structural repairs to the POB Middle School balcony.

"We are very proud of the education programs offered to students in Plainview-Old Bethpage," members of the board of education said in a prepared statement. "In June 2000, 77 percent of our graduating seniors received Regents diplomas, one of the highest percentages in all of New York State and the highest percentage in POB history. In addition, 99 percent of our June 2000 graduates attended college this year. Eighteen of our students also took first place awards this year in the statewide DECA competition and our Robotics team won first place on Long Island. Our high school Science Olympiad students placed first in Nassau County and 10th in New York State. Also our students continue to pass the state's Regents exams at a very high rate... In addition to academic success, POB students continue to excel in the fine and performing arts, as demonstrated by the wonderful performances of our bands, choruses, orchestras, drama troupes and artists. And a very high percentage of POB students annually participate in interscholastic sports and co-curricular activities, such as clubs."

In summary, the impact of the proposed 2001-2002 budget:

* Adds 19.5 new faculty positions including two social workers, two special education teachers, two elementary MSTs teachers, full staffing for Pasadena's fourth grade, one music teacher, additional personnel in social students, physical education and health.

* Maintains and supports low class size

* Adds six new courses at POBJFK High School

* Includes resurfacing of tennis courts at POBJFK High School

* Moves technology plan forward.

* Increases co-curricular activities for middle and high school students.

* Completes library automation.

* Increases professional development for staff.

* Expands opportunities and services for students with disabilities.

* Continues offerings of a broad array of Advanced Placements courses.

* Provides for roof work at POBJFK High School.

* Includes new lockers at Mattlin Middle School.

* Includes $2,064,807 for repayment of bond debt.

Also included in the May 15 vote is the library budget."The Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library's annual budget request will be Proposition 2 on the ballot on Tuesday, May 15," said Joseph Eisner, chairperson Library Board of Trustees. "The proposed increase in the library's expenditures will result in a modest 1.5 cent increase in the tax rate. This will enable your library to continue to offer all of the many services which are used by community members."

The vote will take place on Tuesday, May 15 from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. at Jamaica Avenue School, POB Middle School and Old Bethpage School.