N. Bellmore announces planned tax increase

At a budget workshop at Gunther Elementary School on Wednesday night, North Bellmore officials told residents how the 2010-11 school budget would affect their taxes.

The average North Bellmore taxpayer with a home assessed at $380,000 would pay $3,791.48 in taxes in the 2010-2011 school year — an increase of $76.16 over the 2009-2010 school year –– if the budget passes a public vote in May.

The proposed $47 million budget calls for a 2.49 percent increase in spending over 2009-2011, and a 3.95 percent tax levy increase. In order to keep the budget trimmed, Superintendent Arnold Goldstein said the administration was forced to make cuts where they could. The cuts include five classroom teachers, one special education teacher, half a vocal music position, two librarians (through attrition) and general education summer school. Despite the cuts, "I think we have protected students and instruction," Goldstein said.

The superintendent also stressed that North Bellmore has one of the lowest per-pupil costs in Nassau, but still has the smallest median class size in the county, at 18. "We are an incredibly cost-effective district," he added.

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