Diane Klein, TrusteeJerry Nocera, TrusteeDiane Thiel, Trustee

Board of EducationPatrick M. Farrell, PresidentJoseph Romano, Vice PresidentWendy DeGaetano, Second Vice President

Lucy Campasano, TrusteeCarmine Galletta, TrusteeKathleen Jennings, Trustee

May 2010 Issue • www.wbschools.org

With a Little Help From Their FriendsWith a Little Help From Their Friends

Since the February 18 fire that destroyedSouth Bay Elementary School, the WestBabylon School District has seen atremendous outpouring of support fromcommunity members, local organizations andneighboring school districts. In addition to thehospitality of Our Lady of Grace RomanCatholic Church, where South Bay’s studentswill attend classes for the rest of the year, theschool has received thousands of donations,

including books and other classroom materials to help ease the transition.

The biggest fundraiser came on April 11, as the district hosted a benefitconcert starring The Fab Faux, a nationally renowned Beatles tribute band, at West Babylon High School’s Performing Arts Center. The band’s co-founder, drummer/singer Rich Pagano, is a 1980 graduate of WBHS. Other members include Will Lee, bassist for The Late ShowWith David Letterman; Jimmy Vivino, guitarist for Conan O’Brien’s latenight shows; Frank Agnello (vocals/guitar) and Jack Petruzzelli (vocals/keyboards/ guitar).

Accompanied by the Hogshead Horns and the Creme Tangerine Strings,the Fab Faux entertained the sellout crowd with more than two hours of classic Beatles tunes, including “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” “Paperback

Writer,” “Nowhere Man,” “LadyMadonna” and “I Am the Walrus.”

Babylon-based rock radio stationWBAB 102.3 FM co-sponsored theevent, and on-air personality Rocky –also known as West Babylon alumnusTom Pantaleo, Class of 1981 – servedas the evening’s master of ceremonies.

Tickets for the event ranged in pricefrom $30 to the $90 “Gold Circle,”which offered an exclusive meet-and-greet session with the band. In all,more than $24,000 was raised; allproceeds will be used to help rebuildSouth Bay Elementary School.

“We are grateful to the Fab Faux,WBAB and all of the sponsors and organizers who helped make this event possible,” said Superintendent of Schools Anthony Cacciola. “This wonderful evening was just further proof of South Bay’s spirit and the pride that we all share in the West Babylon School District.”

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Special 2010-11 Budget Section InsideSpecial 2010-11 Budget Section InsideSpecial 2010-11 Budget Section Inside

South Bay Benefit Concert Features the Timeless Music of the Beatles

WBHS alumnus Rich Pagano,Class of 1980

2

Winners & Achievers

Elif BodurMegan BurkePeter CarracioloKerrigan Coyle

Danielle CunhaCheryl DelloRussoRosetta FairleyMatina Panagos

Alessander ReyesJamie RizziAmy RobbinsAshley Rosen

Austin RosenCatherine SanchezKhrystyna SemenchuckFrank Speights

Erin SpielmanMonika StanczykGiocchino StilloneRobert White

Congratulations to New Honor Society InducteesThis spring, more than 250 West Babylon students in grades 7-12 were welcomed into three prestigious honor societies.

In March, 110 seventh and eighth grade students were inducted into the West Babylon Junior High School chapter of the National Junior Honor Society(NJHS). The eight grade band provided music for the ceremony, and Superintendent Anthony Cacciola administered the oath of induction to the new members.These students were admitted based on their outstanding performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, citizenship and character:

Olivia AebliJake AltmanGeovanny AmayaVanessa AndersonScott AveryAllison BarbaroAmanda BarbosaKenneth BeckSamantha BeckerChristine BelmontAmanda BettingKolette BodenmillerJustin Boucher-FoleyKatherine BudnyAnthony CainKourtney CastagnolaNicole CecchiSage ChasenJohn Cifuentes

Anna CollSean DavisAdam Dell’IsolaDevan DeRubioNadine DoerbeckerCarly DonohueKathryn DziadowiczAlexandra EspositoAlexandra ForgioneLauren FreezeRobert GambaKyle GarciaJohn GlennonKailah GoldmanAndrej GryschenkoJoseph HardingAmanda HennessyKyle HenshawAllison Hernandez

Regina HirshkowitzKallie JalalAlexa JonesSean JoyceAnnabelle KallandErin KenneyChristina KielczewskaAnthony LanfranchiJordan LangMichael LeoneNicholas LeoneCassidy Lilly Alexa LucchessePaul MahlmannRobert MandichSean McCabeBrianna McDermottBrianna McNultyJason Meurlin

Anthony MistrettaAna MontoyaIsaak MoralesChristiana MoranteKelliann MueschCarly MurphyMaria NapoliApril NelliKelsey O’ConnorLiam O’SullivanJustine OlivarScarlett PalmieriCrystal PascualJessica PesalePaul PoulosJames PreudhommeAlexa PulizziSabrina PulizziAntonino Quintalino

Vincenzo QuintalinoJessika RaczkaJeevan RameshKristen RebehnMelissa RibackPeter RodriguezAilsa RotheramNicole RussoNicole SalzoneJoanne SanchezBridget SandsDouglas ScarangellaJacqueline SchromMaverick SciarrinoTaylor ShannonNicole SheaJoseph SpaethNicholas SuarezYongPeng Tang

Paige TatzelIdalys TorresAlexandriaToumbacarisKyle TrippReese TrovatoCollin UngerleiderJoseph ValentiDestiny VernonAndy VongRavi VyasAngelina WnukowskiTroy WombleWinnie WongMatthew ZeniDavid Zimmerer

One day earlier at West Babylon Senior High School, the Vincent Foley Foreign Language Honor Society welcomed 146 new members during its 13th annualinduction ceremony. Named for the former language department chairperson Vincent Foley, the Foreign Language Honor Society recognizes the dedication andmany achievements of our language students. The evening included a collaboration with the music department that featured foreign language vocal performancesand instrumental performances by a pianist and the string ensemble. The ceremony also included tributes to the French, Italian, Russian and Spanish flags eachread by a student of that language. Congratulations to the new inductees:

FrenchSamantha CosentinoMadeline DorrRaymond ScheinCaroline Wittschen

ItalianJesse AbruzzoYsabel Almonte Nicole AvitabileAndrew BattifaranoDominic BongiornoAnnaMarie CaliRoxana CanalesNicholas CasseroMichael CavanaghMario CuzziDaniel FarringtonJoseph FerraraVincent FicarrottaGaetano InnamoratoAndrew KissMariel LaMantiaKarla LazoRachel MercorellaJoey-Marie Najdek

Christopher NearyChristopher OliveriFrank PatrunoSalvatore PerettiJamie PorteusPatrick ReillyChristopher RobertoAndrew RosatiKevin SalvadoriGiovanni StilloneMichelle TaseKacper Zdunczyk

RussianRamy AbbadyJennifer BuscemiJennifer CummingsDanielle HaleyKarina HaningtonLeah PapeNicholas Partain

SpanishJohn AdamesMirza AliCarol Anderson

Chantel ArchilaMatthew BalloneLuke BaranekBrianne BorthwickRyan BriganteWilliam BrunerStephen BrustadCassandra BuckleyJessica ByrneLuis CabreraDavid CainMark CarrDanielle CaseyPatricia CaseyTrista CavanaughDerek DaffaraAlexandra DavidSydney DavinoJessica DavisGloria DeJesusCourtney DobshinskyChristina EspositoRyan FennellErin FischerMelinda FreudenbergerKathryn Geraghty

Siobhan GiliNicolette GniedziejkoJordan GoldmanShannon GriffinDaniela GuaricelaThomas GuarinoTyler HartmannMichael HenriquezGina HerbstDylan HoranShane HyndmanStevenson JeanGabrielle JordanJames JosephKimberly KelmJake KohlerAllison LazzaroNikki LudwigThomas MannionAshley MarinelloJessica MazurAlex McDermottMarcus McFee Walters Stacie McGannSierra McKennaJames McNally

Lianna MelzerNicholas MenichinoGalen MeriglianoAdam MikelinichVictoria MiragliaJohn MonacoNicholas MueschBianca MumolaJamie NankervisCasey NashDana NolanEmily NortonPaige O’ConnorBryan OddoMegan OssmannCandice ParnellNafeesa ParvinMaulik PatelJessica PeaceDanielle PesaleAndrew PlintoCarlos RamosKelly RedmondZachary RussoJason RuvioHeather Savino

Joseph SchromKendra ShulerSamantha SmithTalia SotoKimberly StallonePawel StanczykAshley SulloJoanna TanzmanDrew TatzelElizabeth TellezDaniel TheissForrest TheissMelissa TrozolinoAlex VelezGabriella VieraNicholas VinettiSamantha WalshakTyler WaltherKelly WattToni WeathersKayte WeaverVeronica WinterEmel Zivali

Also in March, 20 West Babylon High School students were inducted in the New York State Business and Marketing Honor Society. In order to achieve thisdistinction, students must maintain an overall GPA of 80 or higher and an average of 88 or higher in their business courses. Students must demonstrate evidenceof character, leadership and service while completing at least two business courses by the end of their junior year and at least three business courses by the endof their senior year. The following students met all criteria for admission:

WWWWWWWWWWWW b lest Babylonest Babylonest Babylonest BabbylonWest BabylonWW

School Budget Vote:Tuesday, May 18, 2010 • 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

3

Dear Residents:

After many months of carefulplanning and deliberation, the West Babylon Board of Education and administration are pleased topresent our proposed budget for the2010-11 school year. In this budgetproposal, we are confident that wehave addressed and met the needs and concerns of all our constituent

groups. We are proud of the sound spending plan, whichreflects an increase of 2.08 percent over the current budget.

This year however, our budget development process has beenfar more difficult than ever before. Our greatest challenge isthat, at the time of writing this message, West Babylon standsto lose more than $2 million in state aid, which represents a6.7 percent reduction from last year. This cut to our schools is far more devastating than what we faced in 1991-92.Governor Paterson’s current proposal for state aid has serious implications for our district, and will result in aproposed tax levy increase of approximately 7.13 percent

If the budget is voted down twice, the district would berequired to adopt a contingent budget. It would require thedistrict to make reductions of approximately $1.5 million.This would result in deep programmatic cuts as a result of a dramatic reduction in personnel, supplies, equipment and upgrades to our technology infrastructure. Under acontingent budget, the district would not be permitted to purchase equipment, and would have to charge allorganizations (such as community athletic leagues, GirlScouts and Boy Scouts) for the use of buildings and fields.

As we prepare our students for the future, it is the goal of theBoard of Education to provide a comprehensive educationalprogram that meets the needs of all our children while beingfiscally responsible to our taxpayers. I am proud of the manyaccomplishments of our students and staff. West Babyloncontinues to be successful because of the partnership thatexists among parents, teachers, administrators, Boardmembers and, most of all, the community.

Sincerely,

Anthony CacciolaSuperintendent of Schools

Superintendent’s Message:Superintendent’s Message:2010-2011Special Budget Section

Anthony Cacciola

The 2010-11 Budget Proposal Includes:

• Continuation of all current programs

• Restoration of K-5 ELA summer school

• Restoration of seventh grade sports teams

• Purchase of two new small buses

• Restoration of equipment purchases

• Three major projects (excluding South Bay)– Refurbish track at WBHS– Replace tiles in JHS– Replace gas heater in bus garage

The South Bay fire has no impact on the budget.

Proposed 2010-11 Budget

4

Code Function Description Administrative Capital Program Grand Total Administrative Capital Program Grand Total1010 Board of Education 60,540 60,540 66,203 66,203 1040 District Clerk 15,148 15,148 15,148 15,148 1060 District Meeting 7,200 7,200 6,800 6,800 1240 Chief School Administrator 368,686 368,686 357,545 357,545 1310 Business Administration 716,436 716,436 663,315 663,315 1320 Auditing 136,685 136,685 130,000 130,000 1325 District Treasurer 15,148 15,148 15,148 15,148 1345 Purchasing 7,587 7,587 7,402 7,402 1380 Fiscal Agent Fee 26,883 26,883 29,100 29,100 1420 Legal 80,555 80,555 90,000 90,000 1430 Personnel 383,363 383,363 389,615 389,615 1480 Public Information Services 54,850 54,850 73,850 73,850 1620 Operation of Plant 5,882,863 5,882,863 5,748,933 5,748,933 1621 Maintenance of Plant 60,000 60,000 1670 Central Printing and Mailing 194,608 194,608 203,989 203,989 1680 Central Data Processing 731,691 731,691 704,298 704,298 1910 Unallocated Insurance 425,542 425,542 434,264 434,264 1920 School Association Dues 3,273 3,273 8,050 8,050 1930 Judgment & Claims 10,000 10,000 3,000 3,000 1980 MTA Payroll Tax 175,000 175,000 1981 BOCES Administrative Costs 318,772 318,772 314,368 314,368 2010 Curriculum Development and Supervision 172,413 172,413 193,081 193,081 2020 Supervision Regular School 2,263,850 2,263,850 2,319,268 2,319,268 2060 Research Planning & Evaluation 2,936 2,936 2,850 2,850 2110 Teaching - Regular School 32,492,491 32,492,491 31,643,774 31,643,774 2122 Teaching - Regular School 38,018 38,018 32,745 32,745 2250 Students with Disabilities 10,811,800 10,811,800 11,541,750 11,541,750 2270 Students with Disabilities 1,125,186 1,125,186 929,397 929,397 2280 Teaching - Language Arts 1,092,000 1,092,000 1,210,480 1,210,480 2330 Occupation Education 2,475 2,475 3,240 3,240 2331 Teaching - Special Schools 16,500 16,500 15,500 15,500 2332 Teaching - Special Schools 175,609 175,609 127,382 127,382 2610 Teaching - Special Schools 739,726 739,726 693,591 693,591 2611 School Library & Audiovisual 46,450 46,450 29,643 29,643 2630 School Library & Audiovisual 1,282,986 1,282,986 1,225,017 1,225,017 2805 Computer-Assisted Instruction 134,545 134,545 122,997 122,997 2810 Attendance - Regular School 1,084,599 1,084,599 1,012,610 1,012,610 2815 Guidance - Regular School 924,337 924,337 874,739 874,739 2816 Health Services - Regular School 113,600 113,600 37,100 37,100 2820 Health Services - Regular School 749,119 749,119 649,692 649,692 2850 Psychological Services - Regular School 245,771 245,771 208,500 208,500 2855 Co-Curricular Activities - Regular School 951,205 951,205 779,415 779,415 5510 Interscholastic Athletics - Regular School 3,291,044 3,291,044 3,097,074 3,097,074 5530 District Transportation Services 105,518 105,518 46,368 46,368 5540 Garage Building 120,000 120,000 120,000 120,000 5581 Contract Transportation 50,000 50,000 100,000 100,000 8060 Adult Ed 39,600 39,600 39,300 39,300 9010 Employee Retirement 1,237,242 1,237,242 934,193 934,193 9020 Teacher Retirement 3,743,133 3,743,133 3,262,904 3,262,904 9030 Soc. Security/Medicare 4,042,110 4,042,110 4,305,583 4,305,583 9040 Workers’ Compensation 400,000 400,000 300,000 300,000 9045 Life Insurance 85,905 85,905 101,874 101,874 9050 Unemployment Insurance 50,000 50,000 30,000 30,000 9055 Disability Insurance 68,895 68,895 76,800 76,800 9060 Health Insurance 10,522,448 10,522,448 11,150,553 11,150,553 9061 Dental Insurance 564,744 564,744 594,372 594,372 9062 Medicare Reimbursement 684,602 684,602 631,008 631,008 9063 Retiree Half Opt Out 108,000 108,000 84,000 84,000 9064 Insurance Opt Out 352,400 352,400 338,000 338,000 9710 1993 & 1999 Cap Projects 2,924,830 2,924,830 2,303,566 2,303,566 9721 Library Ban 443,388 443,388 445,888 445,888 9730 Bond Anticipation Notes 65,030 65,030 319,400 319,400 9760 Tax Anticipation Note 400,000 400,000 400,000 400,000 9787 Installment Bus Purchases 502,034 502,034 472,521 472,521 9901 Interfund Transfer 325,000 325,000 275,000 275,000

GRAND TOTAL $6,161,166 $10,288,145 $77,817,058 $94,266,369 $6,024,295 $9,693,308 $76,624,599 $92,342,203

PERCENT OF BUDGET 6.54% 10.91% 82.55% 6.52% 10.50% 82.98%

Definition of Terms:Administration: Central Administration, Finance, Management Information Systems, Insurance, Legal, and Instruction Supervision

Program: Instruction, Library, Special Education, Computer-Assisted Instruction, Guidance, Athletics, Co-Curricular and Related Personnel BenefitsCapital: Maintenance and Operations, Utilities, Bus Purchases, Debt Service, Plant and Capital Projects

If you have any questions about the budget, please call Mark Flower, assistant superintendent for finance & operations, at (631) 376-7701.

PROPOSED 2010-11 BUDGET ADOPTED 2009-10 BUDGET

Proposition 1: 2010-11 BudgetShall the following resolution be adopted:

RESOLVED: that the school district budget proposed by the Board ofEducation in accordance with Section 1716 of the Education Law shall be approved.

General Support

Board of EducationMembers of the Board of Education serve without salary or amenities (i.e.,laptops, cell phones, credit cards). To accomplish their duties, they utilize legalcounsel, as well as professional development services. The functions of thedistrict clerk, who is appointed by the Board of Education, include recordingthe minutes of the meetings and supervising elections.

Central AdministrationReflected in the Central Administration portion of the budget are the costs forthe operation of the offices of the superintendent of schools, executive directorof human resources, assistant superintendent for finance, treasurer, externalauditor, internal auditor, claims auditor, district accountant and legal services.

Central ServicesCentral Services consists of the costs of operating and maintaining our schoolbuildings and grounds. Components include allocations for custodial andsecurity services, utilities, districtwide printing and mailing, contractualobligations and BOCES charges for computerized attendance. Special itemsinclude the costs associated with insurance premiums, membership dues for theBoard of Education in various school board associations and membership in theSuffolk County Organization for the Promotion of Education (SCOPE).

GENERAL SUPPORT 2009-10 2010-11 $ Change % ChangeBoard of Education 88,151 82,888 -5,263 -5.97Central Administration 1,755,975 1,790,194 34,219 1.95Central Services 7,416,903 7,801,749 384,846 5.19Total General Support $9,261,029 $9,674,831 $413,802 4.47%

Instruction

Administration and ImprovementThis category reflects the costs of those employees responsible for theadministration and improvement of the instructional program. It includes thesalaries of the assistant superintendent for curriculum and student services,seven building principals, three assistant principals and the clerical staffassigned to each office.

Teaching Regular SchoolTeaching includes all costs directly related to our instructional program. Thesalaries of the regular teaching staff, substitute teachers, home teaching andteacher aides are found in this section, as are the costs for supplies, instructionalequipment, textbooks, student tuition for foster care placements, BOCESservices and in-service training courses. A summer school program will onceagain be available for students in grades 1-12.

Special EducationThis section of the budget encompasses the instructional programs and servicesfor students with special education needs. School districts must provide a freeand appropriate public education for all children with special needs, regardlessof the nature or severity of the disabilities. The monies expended here cover thesalaries of the director of student services, teachers, teacher aides, andsecretaries, as well as costs for programs, supplies and BOCES placements.Pupils who score below the state reference point on New York State EducationDepartment tests and those who possess a limited proficiency in English arealso included in this section. This section also addresses our alternative eveninghigh school. A special education summer school program will once again beavailable for students in grades 6-12.

Instructional MediaIncluded are the costs of supplies and periodicals for the libraries in the schoolsthroughout the district. Also included are the costs of salaries for librarians,library aides and teacher assistants who support the district’s wide areacomputer network.

Pupil Services & ActivitiesGrouped in this category are those services directly related to the health, well-being and guidance of our students. These include attendance, guidance, health,psychological and social work services. Expenses include salaries of theprofessional and secretarial staff for each department, as well as physicians’ andnurses’ fees. Included in this section are the costs of chaperones and clubadvisors, as well as the costs for operating our interscholastic and intramuralprograms. Included this year is the reinstatement of seventh gradeinterscholastic teams.

2009-10 2010-11 $ Change % ChangeAdministration & Improvement 2,515,200 2,439,198 -76,001 -3.02Teaching Regular School 32,890,239 33,624,984 734,745 2.23Special Education 12,614,028 12,129,096 -484,932 -3.84Instructional Media 1,948,251 2,069,162 120,910 6.21Pupil Services & Activities 3,685,053 4,203,177 518,123 14.06Total Instruction $53,652,771 $54,465,616 $812,845 1.52%

TransportationThis section reflects the costs of providing bus service for approximately 4,200students to and from school at the current limits of 0.5 and 0.8 miles, for fieldtrips and interscholastic sporting events, and for the maintenance of our busfleet and garage building. This budget proposal includes the installmentpurchase of two small-size buses.

2009-10 2010-11 $ Change % ChangePupil Transportation 3,097,074 3,291,044 193,970 6.26Garage Building 46,368 105,518 59,150 127.57Contract Transportation 220,000 170,000 -50,000 -22.73Total Transportation $3,363,442 $3,566,562 $203,120 6.04%

Community ServicesThis section provides for adult education classes in technology andpersonal enrichment for residents of the West Babylon Community. Theprogram is self-sustaining.

2009-10 2010-11 $ Change % ChangeTotal Community Services $39,300 $39,600 $300 0.76%

Undistributed

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Employee BenefitsThis category includes all employee benefits required by state mandateor contractual obligation. It contains the district’s contribution to theNew York State Retirement Systems, social security and Medicare,workers’ compensation, unemployment, MTA payroll tax, and thedistrict’s share of premiums for life, disability, hospital, medical anddental insurances.

Interfund TransferA special education summer school is provided for West Babylonstudents (pre-K through grade 8) who have 12-month individualizededucation plans (IEP’s). In addition, an interfund transfer will helpsupport the continuation of our healthy food choices as part of thewellness initiative in our school lunch program.

2010-11 Summaries

Voter Information

Most Often Asked Question

Voter Registration InformationThrough May 13, every school building will serve as a registrationsite between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Voters may also registerto vote at the district clerk’s office in the administration buildingduring these hours. To verify your registration status, please call thedistrict clerk at (631) 376-7008.

Absentee BallotsApplications for absentee ballots can be obtained at the districtclerk’s office until May 17. If you need the application mailed, pleasecall the district clerk’s office at (631) 376-7008 no later than May 10.Absentee ballots MUST be returned by 5 p.m. on May 18.

Budget HearingDate: May 11, 2010 • Time: 7:30 p.m.Place: administration building board room

Budget VoteDate: May 18, 2010 • Time: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.Place: Residents north of Sunrise Highway will vote at SantapogueElementary School. Residents south of Sunrise Highway will vote atthe administration building.

For further information, please call the district clerk’s office at(631) 376-7008.

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ProposedBudget

$94,266,369

Assessed Value$3,500$4,000$4,500$5,000

How do I estimate mychange in taxes?

Cost Change Per Month$33.89$38.73$43.58$48.42

Debt ServiceThis component reflects the cost of principal and interest payments onschool buildings and for anticipated annual borrowing, as well as thecosts of principal and interest payments for the 1993 and 1999 capitalprojects. The district recently received an upgraded Moody’s A1rating, which certifies the district’s financial stability. Also included isthe debt service for the West Babylon Public Library Capital Project.

2009-10 2010-11 $ Change % Change

Employee Benefits 21,809,286 21,859,479 50,193 0.23

Interfund Transfers 275,000 325,000 50,000 18.18

Debt Service 3,941,375 4,335,282 393,907 9.99

Total Undistributed $26,025,661 $26,519,761 $494,100 1.90%

Summary of Revenue and Tax Rates

APPROVED ADOPTED CONTINGENT BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET

ESTIMATED REVENUE 2009-10 2010-11 2010-11Appropriated Fund Balance 2,773,309 3,142,197 3,142,197 Appropriated Reserves 1,284,186 1,050,000 1,050,000 State Aid 30,421,462 28,420,089 28,420,089 Other Revenue 1,776,566 1,700,000 1,700,000 TOTAL $36,255,523 $34,312,286 $34,312,286

% OF BUDGET FUNDED THROUGH STATE AID 32.94% 30.15% 30.65%

APPROVED ADOPTED CONTINGENT BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET

ESTIMATED TAX LEVY 2009-10 2010-11 2010-11Budget 92,342,203 94,266,369 92,736,110Revenue 36,255,523 34,312,286 34,312,286Tax Levy 56,086,680 59,954,083 58,423,824Assessed Valuation 34,400,644 34,325,330 34,325,330

$ Change in Budget $2,636,089 $1,924,166 $393,907% Change in Budget 2.94% 2.08% 0.43%

APPROVED ADOPTED CONTINGENT BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET

TAX RATE 2009-10 2010-11 2010-11Tax Rate (per $100) 163.04 174.66 170.21$ Change 6.04 11.62 7.17% Change (Governor’s Proposal) 3.85% 7.13% 4.40%

Governor Paterson’sproposed cuts to state aid

for school districts, ifpassed, will result in a $2 million reduction forWest Babylon. This will

have a substantial impacton the local property taxrate. At press time, New

York State had not adoptedits budget. If the state’s

adopted budget maintainsour state aid at the

2009-10 level, the resultingproperty tax rate will be

3.55 percent.

Everyone Counts! National Census Day at WBJHS

What’s Happening in Our Schools…

Exploring Biomes at Forest AvenueThe fifth grade students in Allyson Fitzgerald’s and Marissa Hymowitz’s class at Forest AvenueElementary School recently learned about biomes – communities of plants, animals and soilorganisms, also known as ecosystems. Each student chose a type of biome, such as tundra,rainforests or wetlands, for example, then created a diorama to show the characteristics of that biome. The students portrayed their chosen biomes accurately and creatively, and learned a great deal about the environment in the process.

Santapogue Kids Eggs-periment With ColorsThe children in Sue Mahon’s kindergarten class at Santapogue Elementary School recentlyconducted an experiment to learn how secondary colors are made. Using eggs as their canvas,the students blended primary colors – red, yellow and blue – to dye their eggs in a variety ofnew colors, including green, orange and violet. The children recently attended the schoolscience fair and were very excited to conduct their very own experiments using measuring,observing and predicting skills.

JFK Welcomes the Singing School Bus Driver

(L-R) Fifth graders Cameron Columbia,Savannah Poormon and Alexis Bier.

South Bay Kids Go Behind the Scenes at the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’The students of South Bay Elementary School were treated to a very special St. Patrick’s Day brunch,courtesy of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. After hearing of the fire that destroyed theschool in February, Ringling Brothers invited the South Bay family to join them at the Nassau Coliseum,where an enormous spread of fruits, vegetables and breads was laid out – not for the kids, but for theelephants! Circus performers welcomed more than 120 students and parents, who watched in awe as theelephants devoured bunches of bananas and crushed whole watermelons under their giant feet. In additionto the behind-the-scenes Elephant Brunch, Ringling Brothers offered to every family in attendance four freetickets for a performance of Barnum’s FUNundrum! at the Coliseum on March 17 or 18. The show featured130 performers and over 100,000 pounds of well-fed elephants.

Tooker Avenue Authors Get Published

7

Joe Guida, the Singing School Bus Driver, dropped by John F. Kennedy Elementary School recentlyto help celebrate the 100th day of school with the kindergarten and first grade students. His upbeatperformance had the children singing along, clapping their hands and dancing as they learned aboutschool bus safety, including the basic but meaningful procedures needed to have a safe ride on thebus. Pictured are some JFK students getting into character for one of Mr. Guida’s songs.

Students at Tooker Avenue Elementary School merged their creative talents and research skills by creating their own nonfiction books. In March, all of the students in Krista Granieri’s class chose a topic, researched it and used the information they collected to develop their own hardcover books,complete with colorful artwork on the covers. Ms. Granieri and her students then invited other classes and Principal Dr. Joseph Hickey to participate in a museum walk, during which each student stood with his or her book and engaged the visitors in meet-the-author conversations. The newly-published writerswere eager to share what they learned with teachers and students alike.

Ms. Granieri and her studentsdisplay their nonfiction books.

April 1 was National Census Day, and the West Babylon Junior High School marked the occasion by participatingin a census of the school’s population. Organized by the social studies department, the WBJHS census was intendedto raise awareness of, and encourage community participation in, the 2010 United States Census. The informationcollected during the U.S. Census determines how many seats each state occupies in the U.S. House ofRepresentatives and how more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding will be distributed each year. The results of the WBJHS census were tabulated and displayed in Eagle’s Landing.Payton Galinson delivers her census form to one of several“mailboxes” located throughout the school.

(L-R) Anna Restivo, Nicholas Esposito,Ginamarie Bruno and Anthony Pupo withJoe Guida (center)

(L-R) Gregory Marcelin, CathleenCarbonette and Andy Pawelski

ATHLETICS

Scholar-Athlete TeamsWest Babylon Senior High School is proud to announce that four of its varsity teams have been recognized asScholar/Athlete Teams by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) for the winter2009-10 sports season

Scholar/Athlete Teams are recognized as such when they maintain an academic average of at least 90 percent duringtheir sport season. Congratulations to the following teams for another job well done:

Winter 2009-10 Sports AwardsThe winter sports season was a memorable one for West Babylon Senior High School’s varsity sports teams. Twenty-six students earned honors for their stellarperformances both on the field and in the classroom – 13 of those from our varsity wrestling team alone! Congratulations to these dedicated student-athletes,whose hard work and perseverance serve as a fine example for our entire district:

Boys’ BasketballChristopher Doyle – All-LeagueKyle Kube – All-League,

All-Conference, All-CountyAlex Reyes – Academic All-CountyMatthew Sullivan – All-League,

All-ConferenceCoach Timothy Lynch – League 4

Co-Coach of the Year

Girls’ BasketballAlyssa Murray – All-League,

Academic All-CountySamantha Rush – Academic

All-County

Madison Vasquez – Rookie of the Year

Brianna Waszak – All-League

Boys’ BowlingThomas Nelson – All-League,

All-County, Section XI State Team,Suffolk County Singles’ Champion

GymnasticsDana Nolan – All-League

(balance beam)

Boys’ Winter TrackCody Amengual – All-League,

All-County, placed 16th in NYS in 600 meter

Lionel Fontaine – All-League,All-County, All-American

(pentathlon, 3rd place)

Girls’ Winter TrackMolly Bianco – All-League

WrestlingJorge Barreiro-Miranda – All-LeaguePaul Baumann – All-League,

All-CountyJordan Colon – All-League,

All-County

Steven Gagliano – All-LeagueSteven Lee – All-LeagueRyan Macioch – All-LeagueMarcus Polynice – All-LeagueMichael Richardson – All-LeagueReggie Robinson – All-League,

All-CountyMatthew Sabato – All-LeagueLeiaje Sidberry – All-LeagueFrank Speights – All-LeagueJohn Wilkinson Jr. – All-League,

All-County, All-State

Team GPAGirls’ Basketball 92.66

Girls’ Bowling 93.96

Boys’ Winter Track 92.24

Girls’ Winter Track 95.36

WBHS Dedicates Jazz Night to Former Teacher Anthony CannizzaroOn April 8, West Babylon High School presented its annual jazz concert, which featured outstanding performances by the school’s jazz

band, select choir and big band. The concert featured the debut performance of “Pontiac Blues,” an original composition by music teacher BryanHeaton. The concert was dedicated to the memory of retired teacher Anthony Cannizzaro, West Babylon’s former cultural arts chairperson, who

passed away in March. Donations were accepted for a memorial scholarship that will be presented at Senior Awards Night in June.

Alex Barrett Performs With the Nassau-Suffolk Youth BandCongratulations to sixth grader Alex Barrett, who was selected as a member of the Nassau-Suffolk Youth Band.This brand new ensemble, one of seven that form the Nassau-Suffolk Performing Arts, features some of LongIsland’s most talented fifth, sixth and seventh grade musicians.

Alex, who plays tuba in the sixth grade band and bass guitar in the sixth grade jazz band at West BabylonJunior High School, was chosen by audition to join this elite group. The Youth Band gave its inauguralperformance at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts on April 25.

Music and Fine ArtsMusic and Fine Arts

Piano/Guitar Concert Draws Rave ReviewsOn April 15, advanced members ofWest Babylon High School’s pianoand guitar classes joined together topresent an evening of many musicalgenres. The show featured guitarand piano performances from awide variety of sources, rangingfrom the Baroque compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach to themore modern country/rock music of Carrie Underwood. (L-R) Samuel Schmid and Nicholas MueschAllison Lazzaro

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Adult Education for Summer 2010The West Babylon School District will offer Adult Education classes for summer 2010. Please check www.wbschools.org or the Adult Educationbrochure for further information. Mail-in registration is preferred. Please send your registration form as early as possible and no later than June 18so that we are able to determine whether there is sufficient enrollment. In-person registration will be held on Monday, June 21 and Wednesday,June 23 from 6-9 p.m. at West Babylon High School. For further information, please call (631) 376-7044.