John Hildebrand

The state's preliminary report also showed relatively low scores in math and science.

Backers of suspended Hempstead schools Superintendent Regina Armstrong held a rally and then appealed to board trustees at their meeting.

The two schools are among 21 in the state and 356 in the nation that were awarded ribbons this year.

The Facilities Improvement Bond, grouped into two propositions, will amount to an overall rise of $287 per $10,000 in school taxes, according to Superintendent Tom Rogers.

The schools superintendent responded that the district "maintains a healthy financial position" and disputed some findings of the audit.

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

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

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

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

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.