Farmingdale school district

VOTING

6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Weldon E. Howitt Middle School.

THE BUDGET

The district proposes a $157,357,708 budget for 2015-16, a 0.55 percent increase from the current $156,496,648.

The local tax levy would increase 1.28 percent, from $119,265,142 to $120,787,363. This increase is equal to the state's tax cap limit of 1.28 percent, so a simple majority vote will be required to pass the budget.

The district said it could not calculate the dollar amount or change between years of the average single-family home because the district straddles Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The budget covers a 2 percent step increase for teacher salaries and keeps the staff at current levels.

A proposition on the ballot would establish a $20 million buildings-and-facilities capital reserve fund to pay for improvements, including roof replacement, after needs are assessed in the fall. The fund would have no impact on taxes and the tax cap because it would be funded primarily in two ways. The current reserve fund -- set up to make energy improvements -- would be liquidated and its $5.5 million balance would be transferred into the proposed fund. Also any budget surplus on the books each June 30 would be transferred to the reserve fund, but in recent years no or little money has been left over.

The uptick in the economy helped cut the district's pension costs by 25 percent for teachers and 10 percent for other employees, a $1.6 million savings that allowed Farmingdale to maintain its academic programs and keep spending under the state tax cap.

District website:

farmingdaleschools.org

THE CANDIDATES

Incumbent Kathy Lively and candidates Mario Espinosa and Anthony Giordano are unopposed for at-large seats. Shari Bardash-Eivers and Rick Morrison are not seeking re-election. Terms are three years.