And there's still no fluff here. Waltz has the title of superintendent, but he's the principal and administrator for the district, which has 200 pupils. He does everything from deciding curriculum to disciplining students, aside from keeping the books.
Educators say there is little wiggle room where money is concerned.
It's because we continue to function as a family,' Waltz said. The district's children scored higher than the state average and got better marks, in many cases, than students in districts of similar economic background. In mathematics, 39.1 percent of Farmingdale's eighth-graders were advanced proficient, compared with 21.8 percent around the state and 18.2 percent in districts of similar economic background. On the Elementary School Proficiency Assessment, which is given to fourth-graders, Farmingdale's 21 students showed similar strength. In addition to giving students extra help where needed, the district has changed its teaching methods to meet state standards better, Waltz said.