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Plainedge voters being asked to approve $71.8M budget The restoration of certain co-curricular programs and a move to a 9-day period at the Plainedge High School are all part of the school district's proposed spending package this year. The district anticipates that the 2008-2009 school budget, will increase the tax levy, that portion of the budget paid for by local property owners, 3.31 percent. It is the lowest increase that has been proposed by the district in the past several years, said Superintendent of Schools, Christine P'Simer. In 2006, the tax levy was 8.82 percent and in 2007, 9.33 percent, according to school district records. Currently residential homes pay $655.77 per $100 of assessed value in school property taxes. The district is unable to determine what the rate will be in 07-08 because the final numbers from the Nassau County Department of Assessment will not be available until the summer. The proposed budget is $71.8 million, which is a 5.18 percent increase in spending from this year's budget of $68.3 million. No programs or services are to be cut. The district's state aid package is up this year from $16.2 million in 2007 to $18.1 million in the 2008-09 school year. That has helped to offset some of the new spending and reduce the tax levy. The current residential tax rate in the district is $655.77. School officials said the new tax rate under the 2008-09 budget cannot be calculated until additional information, such as new assessments, is provided by the county later in the year. Some additions that the district is looking to put into place for the coming year include the expansion of the enrichment program, Library Club and Dance Club at the Middle School and the restoration of certain cocurricular programs such as mathletes that were cut when the district was on contingency. The proposed budget also includes the reorganization of the high school schedule to be a 9 period day, which will offer opportunities for students to take more classes and electives, and the addition of two special education teachers to the district. "We are very pleased to offer a budget that has the lowest in eight years, and allows us to restore some of the things lost during contingency as well as add some new programs that will enhance the educational experience of our students," said Christine P'Simer, the Superintendent of Plainedge School District. The school board was able to announced a lower tax levy in part when state aid funding figures came in higher than initially expected. Next year the district is set to receive approximately $18,106.982.
There will be a Public Meeting on the budget on May 13 at 8 p.m. in the High School Board Room and the last day to register to vote will be May 15. The budget vote will be held May 20, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the High School Gymnasium..
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