By Stephanie Petrellese

Garden City residents will see their school tax levy reduced from 2.33 percent to 1.57 percent, thanks to money from the federal economic stimulus package and the restoration of state aid by Gov. David A. Paterson.

As recently as February, Garden City administrators were concerned that Garden City would actually see a state aid decrease of nearly nine percent, which would total $465,701, if Gov. Paterson's budget was passed. Since that time, the governor changed his mind and agreed to restore the proposed $157-million in cuts after the U.S. Congress approved the economic stimulus bill.

On Tuesday, legislators approved the restoration and distributed an additional $60.2 million in federal assistance for special education, and $5.6 million for "Title I" academic tutoring, to Long Island districts. According to a published report, Garden City will actually see an increase in state aid of 2.78 percent over last year, totaling $5,442,353, which also includes the federal funds.

"We are happy that our legislators have worked with the governor to help restore funding," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen.

The percentage rises to 12.27, or $5,945,055, when federal special education and tutoring aid is included. Albert Chase, the district's assistant superintendent for business and finance, said he is taking a "cautious stand" at this time since he is not yet sure of the rules and regulations attached to these special education funds. He has had discussions with several colleagues in other districts, who believe the money will be required to be used to supplement and expand a district's current special education program. Chase said this may become problematic in the future if the funding dries up, forcing the district to eliminate the expanded programs or have the community foot the bill.

Dr. Feirsen's proposed budget remains unchanged, and is now $$95,215,587, which is .75 percent higher than last year. He said administrators will not propose any changes to the current recommended budget, which the Board of Education is expected to officially adopt at its regular monthly meeting on April 21st.

A public hearing on the school budget will be held on Monday, May 11. Garden City residents will be asked to vote on the school budget on Tuesday, May 19.

Along with this school tax increase, residents will likely see a larger jump in their Village tax bills. The Garden City Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing and officially adopt the budget on Monday at a meeting scheduled for 8 p.m. in the Village Hall boardroom.

The proposed Village tax levy increase is 5.91 percent, which means the "average" Village single-family homeowner will have to pay an additional $302 in Village taxes. The Village budget for 2009-10 has actually been reduced by 4.6 percent from last year, and totals $52,728,207.