Mamaroneck School Budget Passes
by Judy Silberstein
2003-2004
Mamk School Budget
|
Yes |
No |
| Totals: Preliminary |
1371 |
713 |
| Totals: Official |
1381 |
713 |
(June
3, 2003) By a 2 to 1 margin, the Mamaroneck
School District 2003-2004 budget won support from the voters.
The $81,765,000 budget passed by a comfortable margin despite
the relatively large increase of 8.15% over last year's budget
and the 9.88% increase in the tax rate.
School Board President Bob Martin and Superintendent Sherry
King (at left) celebrated with budget supporters last night.
The
three school board candidates sponsored by the Selection
Committee were elected. Running unopposed, Celia Felsher
received 1555 votes, Alan Parter 1554 and Linnet Tse 1572. "This was a very difficult budget to put together," commented
School Board President Bob Martin. Superintendent Sherry
King concurred and added, "The Board and the community went
through a very thorough process."
Dr. King commended District Clerk Bea Cerasoli for her first
"solo election" since assuming office last year,
and Assistant Superintendent for Operations Sarah Tate for
once again performing as "the
wizard of the budget."
Despite
a two week delay in the vote required by budget negotiations
and
maneuvers
at
the
NY State
level,
voter turnout
was higher than last year, (2084 vs 1701) and the percentage
of yes votes was almost identical (67% vs 66%). The official
vote tally in 2002 was 1147 yes votes to 556 no votes.
According to data compiled by The
Journal News, with the exception of Katonah and Valhalla,
school budgets throughout Westchester County passed. This
was despite large increases due to a combination of factors
such as insurance and pension cost increases, enrollment hikes,
and new construction bonding payments. (See Tax
Rate Up 9.88%: Latest Draft of School Board Budget)
|