The budget for the 2003-2004 school year is set for the Elmont Union Free School District. It now awaits a vote from residents of the district. The vote will be held at June 3.

On that day, residents will vote on the budget the board of education adopted on April 15, which calls for $50,523,292 in expenditures, a 7.89 percent increase over last year's $46,829,525 budget.

Superintendent of Schools for the Elmont School District Dr. Maria Palandra said at the May 20 board of education meeting that the 2003-2004 budget maintains the current educational program, which she said is solid.

The board and the district administration believe they have been vigilant in trying to present a fiscally conservative budget while not jeopardizing any of the district's programs. The district points out that it spends the least amount of money per pupil than any other district in Nassau County and some of the budget increase is due to expenses that are out of the district's hands.

According to the district, school budgets throughout the state are being unfavorably impacted by increases in mandated expenses. Elmont's 2003-2004 budget would increase by 5.5 percent over the current year if not for unfunded state and federal mandates that increased the budget an additional 2.4 percent. Some of those mandates include increases in contributions for pension benefits, social security and medical insurance.

The district pointed out in its budget newsletter that state medical insurance rates have increased by 11 percent and the state pension rate may jump from 1 percent to 4.5 percent while the Consumer Price Index has increased 1.6 percent.

A major increase in the budget is coming from an increase in teachers' salaries for grades kindergarten through sixth grade. Those salaries have increased the budget by $1,130,536.

Another increase in the budget is due to the district proposing an enhancement of its computer labs. The district is proposing adding 30 PC computers in each school. The labs would be used primarily by fourth, fifth and sixth grade students.

The district also estimates receiving $12,941,095 in revenues from state sources. The district estimates its tax levy, which is the amount of the budget that must be raised by taxpayers, to be $36,693,197, an increase of 11.26 percent from the 2002-2003 school year budget.

Dr. Palandra thanked Assemblyman Alfano and Senators Michael Balboni and Dean Skelos for their support to education in the state budget process.

Alfano, Balboni and Skelos all voted to break ranks with the governor and override his vetoes to provide more state aid to school districts. "I voted to override the governor because it was the right thing to do. Education, health care and programs for the young and old are critical components to our communities. From the onset, I said I would not vote to cut education," Alfano said.

The formula for computing the tax rate includes components that are not available during the budget process, including the total amount of state aid and the adjusted base proportions, which are provided by the county.

In addition to voting on the budget, residents will also be asked to elect school board members. Incumbent Ken Williams is running for re-election against challenger Sam Glazer. Incumbent Joy Madera is running for re-election against challenger Patrick Nicolosi and Lorraine Ferrigno is running unopposed for a vacant seat.

The vote will take place on Tuesday, June 3 between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. at your local school.