The Roslyn Board of Education will hold a Public Business Meeting and Public Budget Hearing on Thursday, May 8 at 8:30 p.m. in the Administration Building Board Room.

At its April 10 meeting, the BOE unanimously adopted a 2008-09 budget, one that will be placed on the ballot for the May 20 elections. The purpose of the May 8 meeting will be to present the budget to the Roslyn community for public comment. The Bryant Library budget will also be considered at the meeting. The entire agenda for the meeting will be posted at www.roslynschools.org.

The proposed 2008-09 budget, according to school district officials, totals $94,178,999, itself a 4.62 percent increase over the current year.

The tax levy, officials added, is projected to increase 4.90 percent with an estimated average property tax increase of 5.95 percent.

Prior to school board approval, up to $3.3 million was chopped off the initial working draft of the school budget, which itself signified a 7.85 percent increase over the 2008-07 budget. In last week's issue of The Roslyn News, Superintendent John A. Richman praised the budget for including refurbishing and renovation projects at the Roslyn Middle School auditorium, the middle school outdoor athletic complex, and the Roslyn High School running track.

When touting the budget, Dr. Richman also noted such initiatives as a reading and writing project of Columbia University's Teachers College, foreign language offerings at both Roslyn Middle School and Roslyn High School, a new alternative program at Roslyn High School, and a summer academic program.

Also on the May 20 ballot will be a special proposition authorizing expenditure of Capital Reserve Funds, the election of two school board trustees and the before-mentioned Bryant Library budget.

On Thursday, May 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Friday, May 9, from 1) a.m. to 2 p.m., the Board of Registration will meet at Roslyn High School to register additional voters who meet the qualifications to vote in the May 20 election.

Agendas and minutes for all Board of Education meetings are available at www.roslynschools.org; click on "Board of Education."

The budget vote and trustee election will take place on Tuesday, May 20 at Roslyn High School from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. For voter information call 625-6599.

In other budget news, trustees from both the Village of Roslyn and the Village of Roslyn Harbor continue to debate their respective 2008-09 budgets.

The Village of Roslyn will hold its Organizational Night on Tuesday, April 29. On that date, the Roslyn budget may be adopted. The Village of Roslyn Harbor will hold a public meeting on Monday, May 12 with the purpose of considering its own budget.