Dear Community Member:

1. Increased academic achievement for all students.
2. Improved communication with all stakeholders.
3. Financial stability and fiscal responsibility.

This financial plan represents a 4.5% increase in spending from last year and an estimated 4.9% increase in the tax rate. The tax rate is an estimate because the exact figure comes from the property assessments which are not yet completed. As you may know, the STAR program is now available to all taxpayers. At this time that figure has not been determined. Also influencing the tax rate is the state budget which is not yet approved.
The majority of the increase is due to the contractual obligations the Board of Education has with its current employees. Some additional new staff have been proposed due to the growth in student population. The focus in helping all students to meet or exceed the higher standards set forth by the State Education Department has also contributed to increased cost. The student enrollment growth in the district for 1999-2000 is predicted to be five percent. The CPI, Consumer Price Index (the cost of doing business) for March 1999 is 1.4%. These increases also contribute to the increased cost of doing business for the East Hampton Union Free School District. The new educational incentives the financial plan will fund are:

1. A new reading program at John M. Marshall Elementary School to teach all children to be successful readers, therefore breaking the "remediation cycle" which historically has followed students through the entire educational process and beyond.

2. A summer school for students in grades 9-12 to provide increased instruction and learning opportunities in light of the new Regents requirements for graduation.

3. A new assessment program for students in grades 2 through 10 which will produce information about individual students' strengths and weaknesses, as well as indicate how East Hampton students are progressing compared to fixed academic indicators and students in other high performing districts.

4. A bilingual "outreach counselor" who will work with students, families, and school personnel in an effort to close the achievement gap among minority students.

The Board of Education has been involved in work sessions to hear staff input on the financial plan during their regular meetings since February 2, 1999. The Board adopted the 1999-2000 budget on April 20, with the vote set for May 18th.