Sewanhaka School Voters Guide 2010

VOTING

Elmont, 6 a.m. to 9.m. Tuesday at all seven elementary schools; Floral Park-Bellerose, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Floral Park-Bellerose and John Lewis Childs elementary schools; Franklin Square, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at John Street, Polk Street and Washington Street elementary schools; and New Hyde Park-Garden City Park, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Manor Oaks-William R. Bowie School.

THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a budget of $156,303,202 for the 2010-11 school year, an increase of 3.74 percent over the current budget of $150,667,035. The tax levy would rise to $120,529,973, an increase of 4.22 percent over the current figure of $115,646,706.

The average homeowner with a house with an assessed valuation of $1,200 would pay $2,996 in school taxes, an increase of 4.21 percent over the current figure of $2,875.

The proposed budget also includes a 2.8 percent contractual raise for teacher salaries, as well as the elimination of five professional positions, 10 civil service positions and an Internet 7 course.

Meanwhile, the district plans to restore late bus service and driver education, as well as offer daily world language classes to seventh-graders and a semester-long personal finance course to juniors and seniors.

District website:

sewanhaka.k12.ny.us

THE CANDIDATES

The board is composed of members from the Elmont, Floral Park-Bellerose, Franklin Square and New Hyde Park-Garden City Park school districts.