VOTING 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the John Street, Polk Street and Washington Street Schools. THE BUDGET

The district is proposing a 2010-2011 school budget of $32,971,388, a 2.18 percent increase over the current budget of $32,267,461. The tax levy would increase from $22,469,926 to $23,346,619, a 3.9 percent increase.

The school tax paid on an average single-family home assessed at $399,200 would be an estimated $2,670, a 2.53 percent increase over the $2,604 paid this year.

The budget includes money for contractually obligated raises of 3.25 percent and a step increase of 2.5 percent for teachers. Administrators and teaching assistants have accepted a pay freeze.

The district is projecting a reduction of three teacher positions due to enrollment.

District website:

franklinsquare.k12.ny.us/home

THE CANDIDATES

Incumbent Jerome Monaco is running unopposed for a three-year term. Alan Lahti is challenging incumbent Joseph Armocida for a three-year term.

Joseph Armocida

BACKGROUND: Armocida, 50, is an executive vice president of a construction company and has lived in the district for 21 years. He and his wife, Lillian, have a daughter in H. Frank Carey High School. He attended three years of college.

ISSUES: Armocida said the most critical issue facing the district is maintaining its academic standards and level of achievement. He said he would work with the staff to hold down costs so that the district could continue to have small classes and "excellent" test scores.

Alan Lahti

BACKGROUND: Lahti, 60, is senior title officer with a title insurance company. He has lived in the district for 12 years. He and his wife, Mary Beth, have two children. One is grown and one attends a Catholic high school. Lahti has a bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University.

ISSUES: The big issues is taxes, Lahti said. "I am for - and anyone who votes for me is for - fiscal responsibility and restraint," he said. He said he would examine each new budget with an eye on what impact it would have on future budgets. He said the budget is now too generalized, and he would work to get more specifics. Consolidation of functions, such as purchasing supplies, should be considered, he said.