Voters in the Jericho School District easily passed the proposed 2002-2003 budget by a 2 to 1 margin on Tuesday. The budget received 779 yes votes and 395 no votes. The school budget of $65,978,950 represents an average tax rate of $56,45 per $100 of assessed valuation, a 13.3 percent ($6.64) increase over the 2001-2002 tax rate.

"Although this year's budget was larger than we would have liked, the increase was necessary to accommodate both substantial enrollment growth and the quality of educational programs that is expected and valued by all of the members of our community," said Superintendent of Schools Hank Grishman. "We would like to thank all of our residents for supporting the budget."

Incumbent school board members re-elections were unopposed. Barbara Krieger received 935 votes and Toni Meliambro received 908 votes.

The Jericho Public Library Budget also passed without difficulty. There were 864 yes and 284 no votes cast. Peter Piro was unopposed in his election for the library board with 890 votes.