By NANCY HILER
Overall, the 2008-09 state budget passed in Albany two weeks ago called for $121.7 billion in spending, a 4.9 percent boost. The school aid component of the budget totals $1.8 billion statewide, with Long Island schools designated to receive nearly $2.6 billion for the next school year, about $236 million more than the current budget, and $121 million more than was proposed earlier this year in former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's spending plan.
For Nassau County, this equates to approximately $885.5 million for public schools, an increase for the year of $95.6 million, or 12.1 percent, across the board, with individual percentage increases varying from district to district. Locally, this means an increase for both North Bellmore and Bellmore elementary districts.
The North Bellmore district state aid package is set to increase 10.94 percent over last year, an added $1,139,585, for a total of about $11.65 million for its six elementary schools. As a result, the district's proposed tax levy increase of 3.99 percent is expected to be cut to 2.62 percent, while the budget-to-budget increase is 4.97 percent. The district plans to pass 70 percent of the increased aid on to taxpayers, with the rest going into the general fund.
The Bellmore district fared even better. Its state funding increase is 15.37 percent, adding $841,402, part of a total budget of approximately $4.69 million to operate its three elementary schools. As a result, the originally proposed tax levy hike of 4.17 percent will be reduced to 2.16 percent, while the overall budget increase is about 2.90 percent.
School budget votes and trustee elections are scheduled for Tuesday, May 20.
