The Farmingdale School District has adopted the proposed budget for the 2017-2018 school year. The proposed budget reflects the necessary funds to support the many high-quality academic and extracurricular programs offered to students as well as essential infrastructure improvements to district facilities. The district has coordinated a series of workshops in an effort keep residents informed of the proposed budget for the upcoming school year and residents will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed budget on Tuesday, May 16.
“A lot of time and effort has gone into developing the proposed budget for the 2017-18 school year to support the district’s ability to continue to create an exceptional academic experience for our students at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers,” said Paul Defendini, Farmingdale School District assistant superintendent for business. “Our priority is to maintain transparency throughout the process so residents are as informed as possible. We will continue to hold information sessions leading up to the vote.”
The announcement was made at a recent Farmingdale School District Board of Education regular meeting, during which Defendini reviewed how much aid the district is projected to receive from New York state, provided an overview of the cost projections for the upcoming school year and explained the tax levy limit calculation. The district’s proposed 2017-18 budget stays within the district’s specific tax levy cap of 0.83 percent based on the formula provided by New York state.
Along with voting on the proposed budget for the upcoming school year, Farmingdale residents also have the opportunity to vote on additional propositions. As discussed during the April 5 Board of Education meeting, the district is requesting to use $5 million from existing capital reserves to reconstruct bathrooms at various schools. If approved, this improvement project would come at no additional cost to the taxpayer—this referendum is listed as Proposition #2. The other two referendums include approving the Youth Council’s budget for the 2017-18 school year and electing two trustee members to the Farmingdale School District Board of Education for three year terms.
To help ensure members of the Farmingdale community are well informed regarding the proposed budget, the district has scheduled more than 25 visits to a variety of community groups, including parent-teacher associations, civic associations and senior citizen groups, to provide information and answer any questions concerning the proposed budget. For more information, visit the District’s website at www.farmingdaleschools.org.
The district reminds residents to vote on the 2017-18 proposed budget on Tuesday, May 16, at the Howitt Middle School east gymnasium from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
—Submitted by Farmingdale School District
