Plainview-Old Bethpage School Budget Vote: What You Need To Know

PLAINVIEW, NY — Residents in the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District will vote next month on the proposed 2020-21 budget, as well as for board of education and library board. The vote will be mail-in only and absentee ballots will be mailed to all eligible voters in the district by the end of May, the district said. Ballots must be returned by June 9 at 5 p.m. using the postage paid envelope.

The budget vote this year comes as school districts across the state face uncertainty over the amount of state aid they'll receive. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has warned that the economic effect of the coronavirus shutdown could mean much less money available for state education aid. The state will assess and adjust its budget several times in the course of this year. The governor's has estimated that state aid would be 20 percent lower than promised.

Proposed 2020-21 School District Budget

The district has proposed increasing the budget and tax levy this year. The budget includes funding for k-8 teachers college reading adn writing program, coding programs for grades 4-12, professional development for virtual learning and career and technical education business management and entrepreneurship programs.

• Proposed 2020-21 budget: $164.5 million
• 2019-20 budget: $162.4 million
• Budget increase (dollars): + $1.9 million
• Budget increase (percent): + 1.16 percent
• Proposed tax levy: $128.4 million
• 2019-20 tax levy: $125.9 million
• Tax levy increase (dollars): + $2.5 million
• Tax levy increase (percent): + $1.98 percent

The tax levy is $1.4 million below the allowable tax cap, the district said.

Proposition 2

Voters will also have the chance to weigh in on expanding the capital reserve fund. Proposition 2 would authorize expending up to $3.8 million from the Capital Reserve Fund with no increase to the proposed budget.

Board of Education

Three candidates are running for the Board of Education this year, including current President Debbie Bernstein and standing Trustee Ginger Lieberman. Gary Bettan is also running.

The two candidates receiving the most votes will be elected as trustees serving three-year terms beginning July 1. The candidate receiving the least votes will immediately fill the unexpired vacant seat until June 30, 2021.

Click here to see a sample ballot.