New Rochelle School Board & Budget Election Results Are In

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The ballots are in and voters have decided on the 2024 budget and school board.

Voters today approved the City School District of New Rochelle (CSDNR) budget for the 2024-2025 school year. The unofficial vote count was 2,458 to 1,309. The $347.5 million budget carries a tax levy increase of 3.95 percent and reduces discretionary spending by 20 percent.

The budget maintains all current school district programs and services and supports increased special education options for students with individual education plans. The budget reflects the school district’s priorities of student learning; superb staff; safe, supported, connected schools; and effective resource management, according to district officials.

Voters also approved two additional propositions. Proposition 2 authorizes the board of education to spend $10 million from the Capital Reserve Fund to support the renovation of the New Rochelle High School pool and various other maintenance projects. These reserve funds will also support maintenance and upgrades at the district’s other ten schools and the school district office. Proposition 3 authorizes the establishment of a $50 million Facilities Improvement Program Capital Reserve Fund to support future capital projects and renovations at schools throughout the district. Neither of those propositions will impact the tax levy.

"I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the residents of New Rochelle who came out to support our school district budget for the next year," Superintendent Corey W. Reynolds said in a statement. "Despite the challenges posed by the reduction in federal pandemic funding, this budget will support our commitment to elevate the quality of services and education for our students. The community support underscores a profound dedication to our students and staff, for which we are immensely grateful."

Voters also elected four people from a field of seven candidates to the Board of Education (BOE):
● Incumbent William Iannuzzi, the current BOE President, was re-elected to a five-year term beginning July 1;
● Incumbent Valarie D. Williams, a current BOE Trustee, was re-elected to a five-year term beginning July 1;
● Sam Singal was elected to serve the remainder of a vacancy on the BOE beginning immediately and ending on June 30, 2027; and
● Gwen Clayton-Fernandes was elected to serve the remainder of a vacancy on the BOE beginning immediately and ending on June 30, 2026.

City voters also approved the New Rochelle Public Library (NRPL) 2024-2025 budget of $7 million. The budget carries a 5.9 percent increase in the tax levy. Two new Library Trustees were elected to five-year terms: Vera Salter and Nancy Weinberger.

"We are thrilled that the community has once again shown its support for the New Rochelle Public Library by passing our budget proposal," said Whitney Barrat, President of the Library Board. "This funding will allow us to continue providing valuable resources and programming that enrich the lives of all New Rochelle residents. I also want to congratulate and welcome our two new Library Board trustees, Vera Salter and Nancy Weinberger. Their passion for literacy and commitment to public service will be tremendous assets as we work to make our library an even more vibrant hub for learning, exploration, and community engagement."