Recently, we celebrated the accomplishments of our 40 All-County musicians, the honors earned by our High School math team in the Nassau Mathematics Tournament, and the recognition of our senior humanities programs such as Programs of Excellence by the New York State Council of Teachers of English. Our winter athletes continue to experience success and students are participating in our theater program in record numbers. Additionally, 80 percent of our high school students take part in our voluntary community service program. Accomplishments like these are not possible without the support of the local community.

On Jan. 26, I presented a draft of the preliminary 2006-2007 budget proposal for the North Shore Central School District to the Board of Education. This initial budget proposal represents a projection of necessary expenses needed to maintain the scope and quality of our current educational programs. In developing the initial proposal, primary consideration was given to meeting the educational needs of our students and responding to the needs and insights of our community. It is important to me that information about our proposed budget is clearly communicated to the community and that residents in the district openly share their ideas and make suggestions to the trustees as they continue to address the crucial issues facing us as a community.

The budget is formulated line-by-line from a starting point of zero dollars. Each proposed item is evaluated based upon the impact it will have on the education of our children. Prior to presenting the preliminary budget to the trustees, $1.056 million of proposed expenditures were removed as the central office administrative team did not deem them as essential in maintaining the quality of education at North Shore.

There are some important factors that are impacting the 2006-2007 School Budget.

Our engineers and architects have determined that we must replace the main roof at the high school. This is not a project that can be delayed beyond the summer as the health and safety of our children must always remain our primary concern. The board of education is currently discussing whether funds to pay for this project should be included in the budget or whether the community should be provided with a choice of funding the roof replacement through a bond referendum.

As you have all experienced, the cost of utilities (i.e., gas, electric and heating) has skyrocketed over the past year.

Currently, the district is forced to "contract out" an increasing portion of our yearly transportation and bus maintenance needs at a cost much higher than if we had an adequate transportation facility in our district. Acquisition of a new bus depot would eliminate the need for outsourcing of both bus transportation and maintenance and save taxpayers millions of dollars now and in the future. Additionally, it would give us direct control over bus safety (i.e., the hiring of drivers and bus maintenance) and the ability to handle emergencies more effectively.

The state mandates that we pay each year for the rising costs of the following programs: NY State Employees Retirement Program, NY State Employees Health Insurance Program, No Child Left Behind (mandated testing for grades 3-8) and the Special Education Surcharge.

To accommodate increasing enrollment, we will need to employ more staff or we will be forced to increase class sizes. Enrollment has risen as a result of new families moving into the district with school age children and the continued decline in the number of resident children attending private and parochial schools (a decrease from a one time high of 19 percent to just below 10 percent compared to the Nassau County district average of 24 percent). Currently, our classes are at the Nassau County average of 18-20 at the elementary level and 24 at the secondary level.

We must continue our program of preventative maintenance in order to ensure that the community gets maximum value for each dollar invested in our buildings and grounds.

Like our residents, we are faced with continued increases in costs that we must budget for in order to maintain the programs we currently offer.

Over the next couple of months, the trustees will work diligently to examine the budget line-by-line exercising the kind of responsible fiscal management and effective oversight that were recognized by the New York State Comptroller's Office in their audit of North Shore Schools. As in previous years, the board will actively seek ways to provide property tax relief to district residents. Currently, trustees have identified two initiatives that will conservatively save residents approximately $40 million in school property taxes over the next 25 years. They include development of an adequate district transportation facility and the adoption of an Energy Management Contract.

The board and I remain firm in our commitment to ensure that all public funds are spent wisely to maximize the educational benefit for the children of our community. Please make sure that your voice is heard. A list of board meeting dates, additional budget information and contact information for the trustees and myself are available on the district website: www.northshore.k12.ny.us. You may also request additional information from the superintendent's office at 705-0355. Thank you for your continued support and your belief that strong local public schools are essential for the continued well being of our community.