Board of Ed. Budget Meeting Roundup

The Skinny: "Continue to Lead" was the theme at the Syosset Central School District Board of Education budget meeting, held Monday night at South Woods Middle School. Superintendent Dr. Carole Hankin unveiled a preliminary budget of nearly $189 million. That number, a 2.74 percent increase over last year, is the lowest year-to-year budget rise in more than 20 years. 

Numbers Crunching: Syosset Schools have lost more than $9 million in state funding the last two years, and Hankin admitted that number could rise. But according to the budget the district has found some savings, including nearly $370,000 by finding a new broker for its insurance needs and more than $440,000 negotiating a lower rate on its busing contract. No student services were cut. 

The Quote: "This is as low a budget as you could possibly do without hurting any child in any area," Hankin said. 

Etc.: A member of the public in attendance asked when budget information would start being posted online, similar to other area school systems. Hankin said that was in the process of taking place. The school system's website is being redesigned.