John Hildebrand

This will be the fourth year in a row that growth in school property taxes on Long Island and statewide will be capped at the 2% maximum.

The new state regulations could provide for speedier removal of accused teachers from classrooms until all appeals in their cases are settled, state education officials said.

The funding would largely be used to expand schools and relieve overcrowding as student enrollment has risen.

Critics argue the money could be used toward property tax relief or paying down debt. But supporters say the reserves allow districts to better plan for the long term and cover unexpected costs.

The idea behind regionalization is to help local districts share the cost of sports teams, advanced high school courses and other programs.

Currently, the state requires that a great majority of students pass at least four exams — in English, math, history and the sciences — in order to graduate.

State school officials in Albany are to lay out their timetable Monday.

"I'm fully intending to go for another five years," Tilles said of his Regents work.

A spirited debate over Regents exams erupted at the conference in Melville.

That assertion was disputed by the district's administration, which cited special circumstances in the district.