Farmingdale School Budget Passes

Voters in the Farmingdale School District passed a on Tuesday for the 2011-12 school year.

With a final tally of 1,988-1,181 in favor, residents in the district can expect to see a 2.52 percent increase in their collective tax levy next year.

Incumbent Board of Education members John Capobianco and Stephen Wilson ran unopposed and were re-elected to the school board for another three-year term.

The $147 million 2011-12 budget maintains a district-wide average class size of 21.75 and keeps electives available, but , eliminates some after-school clubs and combines seventh- and eight-grade sports teams to make up for the $2 million less state aid this year and the rising costs of health and employee benefits.

"We tried to create a budget that the community could accept, and as the votes were counted that was in fact what we did," said Superintendent John Lorentz after the results were announced.

The budget calls for a 2.52 percent tax levy increase, but the impact on individual tax rates is based on property assessments and will not be available until August, said Assistant Superintendent for Business Paul Defendini.

Proposition No. 2, the Farmingdale Youth Council budget, also passed, 2,044 to 1,015.