The North Shore Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt the 2007-2008 proposed district budget to be voted on by the public on May 15.

The proposed budget currently stands at $77,117,038, a 5.4 percent budget-to-budget increase over last year. This would result in a projected tax levy of 4.5 percent, which, said Superintendent Dr. Ed Melnick, is one of the lowest tax levy increases the district has seen in the last 25 years. According to materials distributed by the board, if passed, the budget will only represent a difference of approximately $7 per month for the average district home.

During the budget review process, the board was able to remove more than $2 million from the original proposed budget. If this proposed budget is not passed, the board would go forward with a contingency budget of $76,351,988, a 4.4 percent budget increase over last year.

Also on the ballot is a proposal to start a Repair Reserve Fund of $5 million, money the district will receive as part as the PILOT agreement between LIPA and Nassau County. The district will receive $6 million in retroactive funds, as well as $1.2 million per year for the next 20 years. Of this initial $6 million, $1 million is being utilized to decrease the tax levy for the 2007-2008 school year. The Repair Reserve Fund would be used toward repairs that are part of the district's five-year facilities plan. This will include the replacement of windows, interior ceilings and tile floors.

There is a third proposal on the ballot, initiated by district residents, calling for universal transportation for students in grades K-5 students, meaning a bus seat must be made available for all K-5 students in the district whether they use it or not. Currently, only K-5 who live three-quarters of a mile or farther from their school receive transportation. If passed, this would require an additional $2,178,163 in school property taxes and result in an 8.4 percent increase over last year's budget. Residents received enough signatures on a petition to have the referendum added to the May 15 ballot; the board of education is legally obligated to place such residents' petition referenda on the ballot.

The budget vote will take place on May 15 in the high school gymnasium from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Voters will have the opportunity to vote on each proposition separately. Elections for seats on the board of education will also take place that day. Petitions for potential candidates are due by April 16.