City School District of New Rochelle Board of Education adopts $253.7 million budget
NEW ROCHELLE – The City School District of New Rochelle Board of Education unanimously adopted a proposed $253,685,636 budget for the 2016-2017 school year, with a $3,564,473 increase, or 1.42 percent, over the previous year’s budget on Tuesday night.
This budget proposal has a 1.11 percent tax levy increase, which means the district meets the state’s required tax levy cap. Therefore, the district needs a simple majority of voters to approve the budget in the May 17.
This is the second year the district will have a balanced budget. Additionally, all programs, faculty and staff positions currently in place for this school year are maintained in the proposed budget.
The total proposed taxes to be collected by the school district will be $200,442,810, or 79.01 percent of the proposed budget.
“This budget was crafted with a tremendous amount of wise and careful judgment and puts students’ academic needs first and foremost,” said Board of Education President Lianne Merchant. “We are very proud to say this is our lowest tax rate in 15 years, and we believe the way we have been conservative in its preparation exceeds taxpayer expectations. We are very hopeful voters will support this budget.”
In addition to maintaining all academic and co-curricular programs, the proposed budget will also add three kindergarten-grade 5 and four grade 7-12 teaching positions to accommodate enrollment increases and stable class sizes.
“New Rochelle voters expect, and our students deserve, the best quality education possible to allow them to become tomorrow’s leaders,” said Superintendent Brian G. Osborne. “Our academic program gives our students every possible advantage to be successful in their personal and professional lives.”
The proposed budget also includes a $1.2 million increase to $2.3 million in funding for identified capital projects in addition to $13 million to fund regular custodial and maintenance services for buildings and grounds.
The district is also presenting a $106.5 million, 20-year bond referendum to voters on May 17. Thanks to low interest rates, state aid that will pay back 48.7 percent of the bond and the reduction in long-term capital debt, taxes will be kept stable. There will be no net increase in debt service over the life of the bond.
The proposed bond involves repairs to all schools and will include roof repairs/replacements, masonry repairs, window replacements, exterior and interior door replacements, elevator repairs and replacements, ADA compliance upgrades, HVAC, electrical and plumbing upgrades, pavement and drainage repairs, athletic field replacements, exterior stair and ramp reconstruction/repair and interior finish replacements. If approved, the work will be completed over the next four years.
About the City School District of New Rochelle
With nearly 11,000 students in 10 schools, the City School District of New Rochelle, through an active partnership amongst community, parents, staff and students, provides a high-quality and challenging education for every child, in a safe, nurturing environment that embraces rich diversity and drives success.
Mount Vernon Board of Education approves proposed $238.7 million budget for the 2016-2017 school year
MOUNT VERNON – The Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education last night unanimously approved a proposed $238,749,835 budget for the 2016-2017 school year, which has a zero percent increase in the tax levy.
The total proposed taxes to be collected by the school district will be $134,077,473, which is unchanged for the third consecutive year.
“This details of this budget are representative of what this district feels is critically important: Giving each child in the Mount Vernon School District the very best opportunities for the best education possible,” said Board of Education President Adriane G. Saunders. “We are hopeful voters will feel the same.”
The proposed budget is a 3.41 percent increase, or $7,862,462, above last year’s approved budget of $230,887,373.
“Our focus remains first and foremost on student achievement and success,” said Superintendent Kenneth R. Hamilton. “We took great care to ensure this budget is in alignment with our long-term 20/20 Vision bond plans. We are positioning Mount Vernon to be the epicenter for outstanding and long-lasting student accomplishments in this region. The 21st Century learning environment we are creating will be the example others will want to follow.”
