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Elmsford School Board OKs $33.5 Million Budget; Public Votes May 17

ELMSFORD, N.Y. -- The Elmsford Board of Education has approved a nearly $33.5 million spending plan that would increase the average homeowners’ taxes by $168.28 per year.

The proposed budget would increase property taxes $13.36 per month on the average home assessment of $12,909.

Photo Credit: ElmsfordUFSD

The board voted on the proposed 2016-17 budget at its April 6 meeting.

The public vote is scheduled for 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. on May 17 at the Alice E. Grady Elementary School’s music room, 44 Cobb Lane.

Voter parking will be provided on the school’s playground.

The proposed budget of $33,482,155 represents a 1.46 percent increase over the current budget of $33,000,395.

The proposed tax levy of $29,128,382 is 1.68 percent higher than the current levy of $28,646,622.

This means, school officials say, that proposed increase of $13.36 per month will be levied on the average home assessment of $12,909 (market value, $417,767) if the budget passes.

The Board of Education said the budget “maintains and supports 100 percent” of the academic, arts, athletics, technology, and extra-curricular programs.

It also provides for repairing and renovating the district’s facilities and allows for the strengthening of its instructional technology, the board said.

Specifically, the plan retains the district’s duel language program, adds 1½ teaching positions to the high school chorus, special education and English as a Second Language programs.

Before- and after-school tutoring for the GES and AHHS programs also remains as do the district’s “character development” initiatives.

The plan also covers the following upkeep projects: the installation of energy efficient blinds, the repairing of locker and gym floors and an upgrading of school security systems, including more cameras.

The district said it was able to do all this and stay within the state-imposed tax cap by re-structuring its administration, sharing some services with the village of Elmsford, soliciting grants and private donations, and by lowering the cost of textbook purchases by using new technology instead.

Pension costs have also decreased, the board said.

For more information, call the superintendent’s office at (914)-592-6632, or visit the district’s website here.

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