By Jerry Burke
The Franklin Square Union Free School District Board of Education has adopted a proposed budget in the amount of $22,472,765, which reflects an estimated tax increase of $1.98 per $100 of assessed valuation. The sum marks a 4.8 percent increase over last year's budget. Tax levies will account for $16,047,232 of the budget, an increase of just over 7 percent from last year. The district itself has a projected increase in enrollment of just over 3 percent.
Under the proposed budget, all current programs would be maintained.
The Sewanhaka Central High School District, which includes Elmont Memorial High School, Sewanhaka High School and H. Frank Carey High School, this year's proposed budget comes to a total of $101,427,655, which reflects an estimated tax increase of $2.34 per $100 of assessed valuation. The modest 4.2 percent increase over last year's budget includes standard increases including preparation for a projected 2 percent increase in enrollment. Tax levies will account for $81,427,655 of the total, a 7.9 percent increase for taxpayers over last year.
At the West Hempstead School District, the proposed 2002-03 budget reflects a 6.56 percent increase from the 2001-02 budget. Expenditures for the proposed budget amount to $38,013,036. The tax rate, if the budget is approved, will jump 9.3 percent, requiring taxpayers to cover $26,084,323 of the budget. West Hempstead's projected increase in enrollment is small at only 0.6 percent. Of all the local districts, Elmont will be seeing the largest jumps. When residents vote on the 2002-2003 school year operating budget of $46,829,585, an increase of 9.1 percent, they must also face a whopping 23.6 percent increase in tax levies, up to a $32,979,585 tab for taxpayers. The average resident in Elmont would pay an additional $6.97 per $100 of assessed valuation.
According to the district, all efforts were made to create an efficient budget in the face of state aid freezes. The budget calls for the elimination of three classroom positions, one physical education position, one remedial services position and one library/technology position. The proposal also cuts some funding for new textbooks, general supplies and after-school services. The district also points out that Elmont, despite the proposed increases, still spends less per pupil than any other district in Nassau County.
Significant increases in special education expenditures account for the majority of increases, with Elmont being impacted more than most districts because of its high number of students in these programs.
For residents of the Elmont School District, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in all of the elementary schools - Alden Terrace, Clara H. Carlson, Covert Avenue, Dutch Broadway, Gotham Avenue and Stewart Manor. Voters will also decide on whether to approve the Sewanhaka Central High School District budget.
Residents of the Franklin Square School District can vote on the budget from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the Washington Street School, John Street School or Polk Street School. Residents will also vote on the Sewanhaka Central High School budget at this time.
Residents of the West Hempstead School District can vote on the budget on Tuesday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the West Hempstead Middle School gymnasium.
