The Syosset Board of Education has proposed a budget for the 2003-2004 school year, which is expected to cover all of the district's expenses in running its 10 schools with a total enrollment of 6,507 students.

At the April meeting of the Syosset Council of PTAs, the representatives from each school unit voted unanimously to endorse the proposed budget, which is $126,690,363.

"Almost the entire budget is mandated either by the state or by contracts," said Board President Janet Cox. "This budget is a plan to continue the program of educational excellence that we provide to our students and for which this district has achieved national acclaim. We are committed to providing an education that meets the needs of all of our students and to remaining responsive to this community. This school district has truly put Syosset on the map making it an extremely desirable place for families whose top priority is a first-rate education. Our students are given incredible opportunities for learning and personal development and yet our district remains in the lowest third of taxes in Nassau County. It certainly makes a statement about the respect our district has when our graduating seniors earn over $8 million in merit scholarship awards."

The annual school budget provides for new high school courses, new staff positions, cultural partnerships with the American Museum of Natural History, Columbia University Spirit Festival, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Metropolitan Opera and Museum of Modern Art, as well as many other improvements, which can all be found in the budget newsletter that was mailed home to residents.

			Approved		Proposed		$
			2002-2003		2003-2004		Change
Capital		$13,346,899		$16,094,894		$2,747,995
Administration	$13,144,697		$13,986,014		$847,317
Program		$88,804,553		$96,559,455		$7,754,902
Repair Reserve	$0			$50,000		$50,000
TOTAL BUDGET	$115,296,149	$126,690,363	$11,394,214

Syosset Public Library's budget will also be up for vote on June 3. The proposed budget is $3,150,000, an increase of 4.71 percent over last year.

"We held the line wherever possible on many items, but because of state mandated increases and the elevated costs of technology, we have to ask for the 4.71 percent elevation," said Judy Lockman, Syosset library director. District residents will pay approximately $11.20 more annually than they did last year for library service.

One trustee position is open for election. Incumbent Lorraine Trachtman, current vice president of the board of trustees, is running unopposed for re-election.

Syosset Public Library will be holding a public hearing and "Know Your Candidate" meeting on May 27 at the library at 7:30 p.m. in room A. All residents are encouraged to attend.

The Syosset Library will also have a bond issue on the ballot on June 3. The details of this bond will be highlighted in next week's edition of the Syosset-Jericho Tribune.

Syosset School District residents are encouraged to vote for the school budget, school board trustees, library budget, library trustees and library bond issue on June 3.