The Plainview-Old Bethpage School District proposed budget for the 2008-2009 school year will maintain programs, class sizes, support services, extracurricular activities and school technology while limiting the impact on taxpayers. The proposed budget of $125,228,575 represents a budget increase of 4.9 percent, and a tax levy increase of 4.6 percent, the lowest percentage increases in nine years.

The proposed budget includes a wide variety of educational enhancements and capital improvements that will benefit the entire school community. As part of the budget, the district will be providing new math textbooks for K-8 and high school geometry, adding a special education teacher and reading/English teacher at the high school level and will continue to enhance the reading programs districtwide. Capital projects will include pavement work at Pasadena Elementary; HVAC restoration and masonry work at Parkway, Pasadena and POB Middle School, as well as districtwide security cameras and security panel upgrades.

Incumbent school board members Debbie Bernstein and Ginger Lieberman are running unopposed for their seats on the school board.

The budget vote and board election will take place on Tuesday, May 20 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Polling locations are Jamaica Avenue, Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School and Old Bethpage Elementary School.