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Deer Park Schools ask for 5.48% increase in spending to maintain and improve programs The Deer Park Board of Education has proposed a school budget for the coming year that increases spending 5.48 percent over this year's budget of $83,845,442. The proposed spending plan maintains all instructional and athletic programs and adds some new educational initiatives. If approved by voters Tuesday, May 15, the $90,115,985 budget is expected to increase the tax rate $8.68, though a final figure is not set until September. That brings the current tax rate of $158.30 to $166.98 per $100.00 of assessed value. The proposed budget includes an increase to the prekindergarten program of approximately $100,000, adding a new teacher and additional supplies. The state aid total amount of $22,395,850 will help reduce the tax burden to the Deer Park residence, said school officials. That is an increase from last year's state aid package of $20,869,869. The budget will continue to support the summer elementary level program. It will also provide funding for mobile computer work stations, additional advance math courses (AP courses), and expansion of the advanced college program where qualifying students attend courses at Suffolk Community College for college credit. The district will purchase Language Arts and Mathematics textbooks, replace a roof at the the JFK school, and expand the autism program at May Moore Elementary School will be expanded. A new program, the transition program, will also be added to the curriculum, and help students to adapt to the nuances of moving from elementary to middle school and then high school. "In the face of escalating costs beyond our control, we are pleased that we will be able to maintain and even enhance programs with minimal staff reduction," said Superintendent Elizabeth Marino. In other news: +the Deer Park Falcons marching band's director Tammy Cotrone gave a congratulatory speech to the Falcons who won the championship 5 years in a row. The Deer Park Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jerry Cannarozzo, conducted the ensemble in such pieces as "Critical Mass" to entertain the community prior to the board meeting; +the board announced that Rockaway Avenue, the high school's street address, will be renamed Falcon Place. Ms. Catherine Thompson, president of the Parent Faculty Student Council (P.F.S.C.) spearheaded the project in cooperation with the Board of Education, the Town of Babylon, Councilwoman Carol Quirk. the Deer Park Post Office approved the name change with no restrictions. A ballot vote was held for the five names suggested and Falcon Place came out on top. After the final approval from the town, there will be a ceremony to officially announce the new address for the school: Park High School, Falcon Place, Deer Park. There are no homes on the street so the change has no other impact. +announced the top ten students of the class of 2007. Class Valedictorian is Nicholas Assenza who will be attending Poly Tech University, and Salutatorian is Andrew Albani who will be attending Crane University. Other top students are Wai-Jee Ho, Eric Malhado, Christopher Doscher, Alexander Wankel, Andrea Pop, Melissa Elfers, Lauren Schaefer, and Kristina Arcuri.
+the board awarded tenure to 13 teachers at Deer Park High School, five for Robert Frost Jr. High, and 4 for John F. Kennedy Elementary School. Also receiving tenure were Katherine Alvich, Deer Park High School guidance counselor; Alicia Konecny, May Moore Elementary School Principal, and Mr. James Petti, High School Attendance.
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