The Pelham School Board unanimously adopted a $93.6 million budget for the year starting July 1st on Wednesday, sending the spending plan to voters for approval May 21st. The budget would increase the tax rate by 2.68%, which is below the cap set by the state. .
The board plans to hold a necessary public hearing on the budget at its next regular meeting on May 8, which is currently scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.
Also up for approval by Pelham voters is a ballot proposal that would allow the replacement of artificial turf at Glover Athletic Complex Stadium.
The district said in an email to parents that the proposed budget does not include any significant expansions to this year's programs because the school board is still working to finalize a new five-year strategic plan. He said he did not.
In the proposed budget, the board appropriated $2.2 million from the fund balance and reserves to limit tax increases and maintain existing programs. The trustees also appropriated $2.2 million from the debt service fund to offset borrowing costs for capital projects such as the new Hutchinson Elementary School, according to a district email.
The Glover turf replacement project will be paid for “$850,000 from existing capital reserves created for the specific purpose of turf replacement” and will not require an increase in tax dollars for the project, the district said. Ta.
On Election Day, May 21, voting will open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. pelham Junior high school gymnasium. Candidates for two three-year terms on the school board will also be on the ballot. Petitions to run for trustee were to be filed at the district clerk's office by 5 p.m. Monday (today). (Click here for additional information about voter registration, mail-in voting, and absentee voting.)
The school board also discussed previously announced management changes for the school's middle and high schools, with Pelham Memorial High School Principal Mark Berkowitz retiring at the end of the school year and Pelham Middle School Principal Lynne Sabia temporarily retiring. I ended up taking sick leave.
As reported, PMS Vice Principal Sean Llewellyn will serve as acting middle school principal until June, after which Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ will recommend him to the school board as PMHS Interim Principal for next school year. It is expected to be. Dr. Maria Thompson, currently the district's humanities director, will serve as PMS assistant principal this year and next year on an interim basis.
Dr. Steven Garcia, executive director of human resources and leadership, told the board that the additional move at the middle school will see physical education teacher Brian Layton “help with working with students and some of the administrative duties for the rest of the school.” ” he said. School year. “
Siwanoy Elementary School Principal Farid Johnson was recognized by the Board of Directors for being honored as Elementary School Principal of the Year by the New York State Association of School Administrators.
“Farid has done an incredible job in a short period of time. This is his fourth year in the district,” Champ said. “During Farid’s time, he implemented many different programs and left a clear mark on Siwanoy.”