School Board Roundup: Budget Becomes Official

The Harrison Board of Education officially adopted its 2010 - 11 budget Wednesday night, one day after the town voted in approval.

The board thanked voters and committees that helped create the approved budget before accepting it. The official final numbers in Tuesday's vote were 1,586 in favor and 1,214 against, exactly the same as the first count.

"We are heartened and grateful for that support and that vote of confidence," Board of Education President Joan Tiburzi said before the budget was officially approved. "We thank you very much for that."

Re-elected board member Abby Mendelsohn also spoke about yesterday's voting.

"I'm thrilled to be here again," she said. "I look forward to continuing to represent my community."

Mendelsohn also said she looks forward to working with newly elected trustee Jason Schechter and congratulated Naomi Oppmann on a well-run race.

After the budget was passed the board reminded the public of several events coming up in the district, including a school percussion concert that the school will host on May 24. Superintendent Louis Wool also thanked Robert Amato, who will leave the board this year after not seeking re-election to the board.

The results of voting numbers for each of the four elementary schools were also finalized Wednesday, here is a look at those results:

• Harrison Avenue School

              Budget:

                Yes - 600                      No - 433

              School Board:

                Oppmann - 217           Schechter - 727

                * Mendelsohn - 751

• S.J Preston Elementary

              Budget:

                Yes - 137                      No - 232

               School Board:

             Oppmann - 138         Schechter - 141

                 *Mendelsohn - 181

• Purchase Elementary

               Budget:

                 Yes - 594                      No - 530

               School Board:

                 Oppmann - 127          Schechter - 597

                 *Mendelsohn - 680

• Parsons Elementary

               Budget:

                 Yes - 255                      No - 319

               School Board:

                 Oppmann - 211          Schechter - 268

                 *Mendelsohn - 314

* Ran Unopposed