PEEKSKILL, N.Y. The Peekskill Board of Education adopted its 2012-13 school budget Tuesday night following several lengthy budget planning meetings.
The $74.3 million budget will carry a 5.43 percent tax rate, an increase of 3.53 percent. The budget shows a 3.33 tax levy increase from last year. Capital projects previously approved in prior years and pensions expenses allow the district to exceed the state's new 2 percent tax cap.
The budget plans for a reduction of 16 positions. Three of those positions one special education teacher, science teacher and special education administrator were by retirement and are expected to save the district $155,000.
Two retiring teachers will not be replaced for a savings of $241,000 and a human resources secretary position is not being filled for a $2,000 savings.
Staff members who are being let go include two part-time security employees, one central office clerical employee, a custodian, a librarian, a Spanish teacher, a music teacher, an unspecified administrator and two guidance counselors. Those reductions will save the district $888,000.
Several board members wanted to reevaluate some of the planned staff cuts in the next meeting in the hopes that some can be avoided.
Peekskill residents will have the opportunity to vote in favor of or against the budget on May 15.
In other news, resident Colin Smith, a 38-year-old attorney, will run for the school board position being vacated by Fran Feuerman and Trustee Marcela Bobe will run for another term.
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