Somers And Lakeland School Board & Budget Election Results Are In

SOMERS, NY — The Somers and Lakeland school districts have approved their 2024 budgets and elected school boards.

Somers CSD:

The proposed spending plan of $110,810,731 was approved by voters. The new budget is 4.31 percent higher than the current budget.

The tax levy increase is 2.76 percent.

District officials said that the budget will: maintain current educational and extracurricular programs, maintain low student-teacher ratio and small class sizes, and increase special education support.

"Despite necessary adjustments, including changes to the overall staff headcount, our plan steadfastly preserves our district's commitment to quality education," Somers CSD BOE President Nick Mancini said. "We maintain an excellent student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring no classroom teachers are removed. This strategy reflects our dedication of providing an uninterrupted, high-quality learning environment for our students amidst financial constraints."

Two, three-year term board seats were up for election. Daryl Mundis and Margaret DiLorenzo were elected to those seats

Lakeland CSD:

The proposed spending plan of $191,413,753 was approved by voters. The new budget is 3.73 percent higher than the current budget.

The tax levy increase is 3.85 percent.

District officials said that the budget will maintain all current curricular, co-curricular and interscholastic programs.

"The proposed budget effectively upholds the high quality of our educational programs while exercising prudent fiscal management and our responsibility to taxpayers," Superintendent Karen Gagliardi and BOE President Adam E. Kaufman said. "It allows the district to maintain our current level of educational opportunity for all."

Proposition 2: bus vehicle bond of $1,935,800 for gas/diesel powered and electric powered school buses was approved.

Three, three-year term board seats were up for election. Mike Daly, Anna Massaro, and Becky Burfeind were elected to those seats.