Proposed $106M Somers School Budget On The Ballot May 16

SOMERS, NY — The 2023 budget and school board vote is May 16, and two seats are up for election on the Somers Board of Education.

The proposed spending plan of $106 million is 5.2 percent higher than the current budget. District officials said they were focused on new instruction programs including more STEM and more support for moving student achievement levels toward pre-pandemic levels. There is also a decrease of 2.8 full-time staff positions due to a decrease in enrollment.

There are four candidates running for two available Board of Education seats. They are Dominick DeMartino, Patrick Varbero, Thomasine Mastrantoni and Daryl Mundis.

There will also be a proposition on the ballot to approve using up to $7 million from the 2022 capital reserve fund for capital projects.

The tax levy is expected to rise just 2.8 percent, which is below the state's tax cap. The tax rate increase is 1.97 percent.

Voters may register online with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, or by mail through the County Board of Elections or at the Office of the District Clerk at 914-277-2403

Registered voters may request an application for an absentee ballot by contacting the district clerk's office at 914-277-2403.

Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or the voter’s designated agent.

Absentee ballots must be returned to the District Clerk's Office by 5 p.m. May 16.