Deer Park School Voters Guide 2010

VOTING

7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Deer Park High School.

THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a budget of $95,209,811 for the 2010-11 school year, an increase of 0.66 percent over the current $94,584,560. The tax levy would rise to $61,168,543, an increase of 2.9 percent over the current $59,447,443.

The average homeowner with a house assessed at $35,544,206 would pay $8,604.50 in school taxes, an increase of 2.89 percent over the current $8,362.50.

The proposed budget also includes a contractual increase of 3 percent in teacher salaries - plus a step increase of 3.5 percent - and the elimination of 7.66 teaching positions, two administrative positions, two teaching assistants, two aides, a permanent substitute teacher and one civil service employee.

The district is adding one laptop program for fifth-graders and plans to expand its programs for Advanced Placement and special-education students.

There is a also proposition to modify mileage requirements for students eligible for busing. The new limits would mean students in grades K-2 must live more than a quarter-mile from their school, grades 3-5 must live more than a half-mile, grades 6-8 must live more than a mile and grades 9-12 must live more than 1.5 miles away.

District website:

deerparkschools.org

THE CANDIDATES

Incumbents John Gouskos, Keith Rooney and Frank Wilkinson are running unopposed to retain seats with three-year terms.