Board of Education Candidates Talk Tax Cap

The three of four contestors present at the recent Candidates Night at John Paulding School talked on many topics, but things always come down to that elephant in the room: the two percent tax cap levy. 

All were in agreement that change needed to happen and this would require some effort to get it on the state, or even Federal, legislative level. 

The budget vote comes Tuesday, May 21, along with the election of new Board members. While the budget will likely get off without a hitch this round, the future is grim, warned retiring Superintendent Dr. Howard Smith. 

For more information on the candidates covering a variety of topics, click their names to see their Q&As with Patch. 

• John Paine    
  
• Jennifer Green   
  
• Vincent Nadile       
  
• Carol Banino    
  

REMEMBER TO VOTE ON THE SCHOOL BUDGET
MAY 21 – 7:00 AM TO 9:00 PM

TARRYTOWN VOTES AT WASHINGTON IRVING SCHOOL
SLEEPY HOLLOW VOTES AT MORSE SCHOOL

1.73% TAX LEVY INCREASE … FALLS BELOW THE TAX LEVY INCREASE CAP ESTABLISHED BY THE STATE FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT
* Tax levy as % of school budget is currently lower than tax levy % of budget in 34 out of the 46 school districts in Westchester and Putnam Counties
* Estimated tax rate increases:
Tarrytown 1.53%
Sleepy Hollow .04%
$68.8 MILLION BUDGET (2.9% INCREASE OVER 2012-13 BUDGET) 
* Maintains elementary class sizes at regionally comparable levels
* Maintains all existing programs and services
* Reflects a cost per pupil that is currently lower than the cost per pupil in 34 out of the 46 school districts in Westchester and Putnam Counties

BUS PROPOSITION WILL QUALIFY THE DISTRICT TO RECEIVE 49% STATE REIMIBURSEMENT FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FUNDS TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT BUS AND VAN
BUDGET FAILURE WOULD RESULT IN THE NEED TO CUT $916,446 IN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AFFECTING ALL STUDENTS 
YOUR VOTE COUNTS!!!