At its June 1 meeting, the Franklin Square Board of Education discussed its course of action regarding the 2005-2006 school year budget and then decided to revise the budget and put it before voters again. In addition, Superintendent of School Dr. Timothy Lafferty announced that he would be retiring after the 2005-2006 school year.

Franklin Square was one of numerous schools to see its proposed budget fail on May 17. The district was asking the community to approve a $27,569,865 spending plan, which was a 7.2 percent increase over 2004-2005. After deliberation, the board decided to cut some staff positions in order to resubmit the budget to the community.

"I've spent a considerable amount of time with the staff concerning the budget of what should go in and what should go out," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Timothy Lafferty. "Given the information discussed with the community, it was unexpected that the budget didn't pass, but it is understandable."

The board discussed three options:

* Option 1 - A resubmission of the failed budget exactly as it was.

* Option 2 - Make cuts from the original budget including three teaching positions, one teacher assistant, one teacher aide and some funds for textbooks.

* Option 3 - Adopt a contingency budget without going out to the public again for a vote.

Franklin Square Board of Education President Dr. Roger Roess said that, with a contingency budget, there would be even more cuts that were not factored into the revised budget. These cuts included new equipment, public use of school buildings and grounds, capital expenditures, salary increases of non-instructional employees who are not members of a collective bargaining unit or who do not have contractual agreements and non-essential programs like summer, after school, and child care programs.

Dr. Lafferty reminded the residents and staff of the results of the first budget vote on May 17 when 946 people voted for it and 1036 voted against it.

During the presentation, the average home tax increase was laid out for each option. Option 1 would have an average home tax increase of approximately $135; Option 2 would have an average home tax increase of approximately $104 and Option 3 would have an approximate tax increase of $49.

After the presentation, Dr. Lafferty welcomed audience questions and comments. A resident asked about the accountability of salary and benefit increases for the staff in the school budget. "That's a matter of state law," said Dr. Roess.

Another resident asked how many students would be in each class if the second option was to be passed. Dr. Lafferty said that the decision has yet to be made. "We'll hold off and try to minimize the impact in August," he said.

Dr. Lafferty said that class sizes raised would most likely be in the primary grades to the tune of 25 students. "We can't promise until we look at the numbers," he said.

When one resident brought up salary raises, Roess clarified that the district is contractually obligated to pay the salaries and benefits. The district is also obligated to provide services for the special education program.

The board had to look elsewhere such as staff reductions and textbooks. "We have to cut the budget where it hurts," Dr. Roess said. "We have no control over allocation."

For instance, with Option 2, Roess said that a new textbook adoption would have to wait another year. "These are not happy things but they're not critical things," he said.

Before adopting the revised budget, board members added their opinions.

"To put the rejected budget out again would be arrogant," said John Randazzo, a trustee who decided on Option 2. "I'm afraid to put it out and get knocked down again."

"I don't consider contingency an option," said trustee Joe Armocida. "I choose Option 2 because it maintains what we have without affecting the students."

"Austerity will devastate the system," said trustee Audrey Hulsart. "We have a responsibility for the children to receive the same education we did."

The board decided on June 20 for the revote.

For Dr. Lafferty, this will be his final budget vote in his career as superintendent of the Franklin Square School District. Under Dr. Lafferty's tenure, the Franklin Square School District saw increased student achievement. "I'm looking forward to next year to be the best and productive year," he said.

In other action, the board promoted the following personnel to tenure: Valerie Mazzone, assistant principal, Christine Hanratty, a grade five teacher, Jason Tomack, the school psychologist, Janice Raftery, a grade six teacher, Danielle Platschek, a grade 1 teacher, Anastasia Mihalatos, a kindergarten teacher, and Tammy LaCombe, a special education teacher.