Bethpage-Tribune_2007-05-04

              BETHPAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Vol.45N6.1?;ih^^ May4-10,2007 m*****,.****,N«.Y<,*II7U 50cenw
Bethpage Budget Vote May 15th
Budget Promotes High Student Achievement at a Below Avergege Cost;
Proposal for Full-Day Kindergarten Uses Grants, Aid to Offset Costs
The Bethpage School District is proposing a budget for the 2007-08
school year that preserves all existing academic and extracurricular
programs, including Summer School, adds new courses at Bethpage
High School, introduces an "SAT Camp", and funds one additional
extracurricular club at each of the three elementary schools.
Bethpage's proposed budget-to-budget increase for 2007-08 is 5.49%,
which is lower than last year's voter-approved increase (6.59%) and
is lower than this year's proposed average for Nassau County school
districts.
The District attributes a $1.6 million increase in New York State
school aid and sound fiscal practices as primary factors in the Board
of Education's ability to enhance the academic and extracurricular
programs while reducing the tax impact. The estimated tax levy
increase from the proposed budget is 4.46%, and based on the latest
information available from Nassau County, the average homeowner's
annual tax bill increase would be 3.95%. In fact, in 2007/08, the
Class I (residential) tax rate represents a 1.99% reduction from the
2006/07 school year. The cost to the average taxpayer for the 2007/08
proposed budget is estimated at $17 per month.
"We are proud of all the work that went into putting the proposed
2007-2008 School District Budget together, and thank the Citizens'
Budget Advisory Committee for their involvement in creating this
very responsible spending plan," said Bethpage Superintendent of
Schools Dr. Richard S. Marsh, referring to the residents who volun­teered
their time, input and energy toward shaping the budget in the
best interests of children and taxpayers. "We should also thank our
elected officials in Albany, specifically Senators Carl Marcellino and
Kemp Hannon, for helping direct increased State Aid monies to Long
Island school districts this year. We hope that everyone in the
Bethpage community exercises their right to vote on May 15."
Some new program enhancements included under Proposition #1:
the Proposed 2007/08 School Budget, include:
• AP Physics
• AP World History
• Advanced Musical Theater
• Broadcast Journalism
• Expanded Inclusion Program for students with special needs
• Bethpage Radio
• Summer SAT Camp
• Software/Hardware
• Projectors for Elementary Classrooms
• Wireless Access for BHS
Important programs that have been preserved in the proposed
budget include "Read to Achieve," Elementary Summer School,
Biotechnology, Summer Technology Camp, and the many cultural
arts programs and field trips that have supported and invigorated the
learning experience for students.
There are also a number of capital improvement projects that will
be addressed in the proposed budget, including needed upgrades to
the pool at Bethpage High School, new lockers at both the High
School and JFK Middle School, public address system improvements
at the Middle School, and the renovation of restrooms at Central
Boulevard School. Restrooms were addressed at the District's other
schools this year using monies obtained from the 2004 sale of Borella
Field.
Borella Field proceeds were used to create the new "Center for the
Performing Arts" at Bethpage High School, used for District-wide
events as well as high school performances, new gymnasium bleach­ers
at the High School, and new boilers needed at Kramer Lane
Elementary School. This was all done at no cost to taxpayers. Thanks
to grants secured by the District, several other capital improvements
are in store for 2007-08 that will also not impact taxpayers. These
include additional technology resources at the elementary schools,
new gymnasium bleachers at JFK Middle School, outside lighting,
cameras, energy efficient lighting, and additional Automated External
Defibrillators at all schools.
A Full-Day Kindergarten Initiative: Proposition #2
The District has developed a plan to launch Full-Day Kindergarten
Continued on back page
Tiger Scouts Become Tribune Reporters
On Thursday April 19, Bethpage Tiger Scouts became reporters for the day
as they took an informative tour of the Bethpage Tribune. The Scouts learned
how a letter sent to the Tribune actually turns into part of a local newspaper.
Pictured kneeling are Steven Klauer and Matthew Groom. Behind them are
Jack Hawley, TJ Foley, Billy Murphy, James Fitzpatrick and Christopher
Wise. Den Chief James Fisher is pictured as well and actually took the same
tour 10 years ago! They were excellent reporters and should be very proud of
themselves!