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School district voters will face a host of proposed capital projects, school board elections and school budgets on Tuesday, May 15.
Nearly half the school districts are close to the state-imposed tax cap on annual spending proposals.
Also popular this spring: Several Westchester school districts are seeking to set up "Capital Reserve Funds," or so-called rainy day funds of up to $10 million, for emergency expenditures.
Two school districts whose budget proposals exceed the cap are Mamaroneck and New Rochelle.
Mamaroneck's school district has grown by 640 students (the equivalent of an entire elementary school) since 2010. Staffing has not kept pace with growing enrollment -- particularly at Hommocks Middle School.
Tuesday's vote in Mamaroneck would add teaching positions, maintain favorable class sizes and meet the needs of all learners, according to school officials.
A Mamaroneck budget fact sheer can be found by clicking here:
Late Monday, officials from the Croton-Harmon School District announced that a Board of Education candidate has pulled out of the race due to a residency requirement.
At 10:45 a.m. on Monday, May 14, Jordan Humphrey, whose name appears on the Ballot for election to the Croton – Harmon Union Free School District Board of Education, informed the District that he does not meet the one-year residency requirement necessary to be seated as a Board member.
Due to the short notice, Humphrey’s name will continue to appear on the Ballot at the time of the election However, he will not be eligible to be sworn in as a Board member. Write-in votes are permitted.
Among the Westchester school capital budget spending proposals:
- Byram Hills seeks to use its capital reserve fund, up to $1,698,598, for athletic field improvements
- Chappaqua Central School District seeks to establish a capital reserve fund up to $10 million.
- Croton-Harmon Schools seek to make bus and vehicle purchases using bonds for up to $295,000.
- Dobbs Ferry Schools seek to create a capital reserve fund not to exceed $2.5 million.
- Elmsford Schools want to establish a $5 million capital reserve fund.
- Hastings-on-Hudson School District wants to create a capital reserve fund for up to $5 million for general school repairs and maintenance upgrades.
- Hendrick Hudson School District has two special votes: 1. To borrow up to $18.5 million for building improvements.
- In a separate local ballot issue, the Town of Cortlandt would use up to $992,150 in tax collections for the Hendrick Hudson Free Library.
- Katonah-Lewisboro Schools seek to borrow up to $610,700 for school buses.
- Lakeland Schools seek to borrow up to $1.43 million for buses, other school vehicles.
- Mamaroneck: District is seeking to override the cap due to growing enrollment.
- New Rochelle Schools seek to set up a capital-reserve fund for an undisclosed sum of money.
- North Salem Schools want to spend $900,000 from capital reserves on a water supply project.
- Pelham Schools have two special proposals: 1. Authorize a $52.9 million bond for various improvements, including a new school. And if the first is approved, allow the school district to borrow $4.6 million on-field improvements.
- Tarrytown Schools seek to spend $2.2 million from capital reserves for various improvements; authorize bonding up to $6 million for alterations and improvements at district facilities; and authorize spending $549,000 for four school buses and a van.
- White Plains Schools seek to spend $10 million from capital reserves for various improvements; and authorize the district to provide transportation for high schools students who live more than a mile from school; estimated cost: $166,000.
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