On March 16, Farmingdale’s administrators and board of education met with the public to begin a series of workshops that will ultimately result in the adoption of a budget for the 2005-06 school year. The proposed budget totals $121,919,726, and represents a $7,294,245 increase in spending, or 6.36 percent, over the 2004-05 adopted budget of $114,625,481.

Deemed by Dr. Roberta Gerold, superintendent, as a modest budget with expenditures "below the average of Nassau County," the budget, if enacted by voters, would restore several popular programs that were eliminated due to the budget’s defeat last year. Those programs include a one night spring concert at each elementary school, the return ofsome elementary co-curricular activities, and the extended use of school buildings until 9:30 p.m.

But the budget would also slash 11 positions from Farmingdale’s overall staff, with five coming from the high school level. "The high school will experience the most significant reductions," noted John Lorentz, assistant superintendent for business and finance. "There will be less sections available to students, and those sections will undoubtedly be larger."

This comes at a time when high school enrollment is expected to swell to 2,020 students, up 154 from 2004-05. This fact, together with the reduction in the number of advanced courses, did not go unnoticed, and prompted an outcry by some in the audience.

"The high school is getting slammed. My last child will graduate this year, but I am nonetheless concerned for the future of kids we’re educating in Farmingdale," said Joyce Seminario. "It is such an important time in their lives, and we should give them a chance to go to a good school."

Others concurred. "I agree with Joyce," said Terry Morrison. "It really saddens me to see these cuts. I really hope you can take another look at this."

Yet for other residents, "taking another look" meant finding ways to further reduce budget expenditures. "Sure we want our children educated, but at affordable prices. That’s the issue for everyone in this room," said retiree John Wallace. "The salaries for teachers are huge, and that’s a big issue to retired people. I haven’t had kids in the schools for over 15 years, but each time my taxes go up. Something has to be done."

The school board also put forth a contingent budget in the event of the proposed budget’s defeat. That budget totals $121,l86,114, an increase over last year’s budget of $6,560,633, or 5.72 percent. The difference between this year’s proposed budget and contingent budget is $733,612. Among the reductions necessary in a contingency budget are a $250,000 slash in the capital budget, $93,858 for after school transportation, $160,467 for the entire interscholastic sports programs in the middle and high schools, and an administration reduction at each school totaling $88,033.

A public input meeting to further advance the budget discussion is slated for April 13th. A special meeting of the board to adopt the budget for voter approval will take place April 20th. The community will cast their votes on May 17, at the Howitt East Gymnasium.