School Budget and Library Vote Set for May 16th

Proposed school budget marks an 8.87% increase over last year’s double-digit increase

by Jeffery Battersby

After last year’s double-digit tax increase for the 2005-6 school year, the City of Beacon School District, for 2006-7, is proposing a budget increase of 8.87% or roughly $3.97 million dollars over the last school year. The new budget sees a $535,000 increase in administration expenditures, a $935,000 increase in capital expenditures, and nearly $2.5 million in instructional expenditures. As a percentage increase year-over-year, administrative expenses in the new budget will increase 13.32%, capital expenses will increase 12.74%, and instructional expenses will increase 7.49%. A separate item on the ballot this year will be a referendum for the purchase of a bus, which, if passed, would add an additional $75,000 to the budget.

Also on the ballot this year are four seats on the school board. As there are only four candidates for the same number of seats, three of the slots will be filled for the standard three year term while the candidate with the fewest votes will fill the remaining two years on a seat left vacant by Donna Pineiro when she moved out of the district earlier this year. On the slate for the four positions are incumbents Cynthia Griffin, Ed Tucker, and William Zoph as well as Larry Cohen who will be a new school board member.

The Howland Public Library is proposing a $11,000 increase for 2006-7 which is 3.5% more than last year’s budget. This budget includes an increase in youth services as well as book drops in Chelsea, which is supported by the Howland Library, a future drop in Fishkill.

Current library board president Pat Hasapis and City resident Gary Barrack are both running for the two open, five year seats on the Howland Library board.

For City residents the vote, which will take place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., will take place at Beacon High School. Residents of Fishkill are to vote at Glenham Elementary School or the District Transportation facility behind Dutchess Stadium. Residents of Wappingers will vote at the Chelsea Fire House.

Comments

[kym]

voted yes last year and paid for it tremendously in taxes-

that on top of what i am currently paying for new construction home-please!

will not make the same mistake this year

it is amazing that with all the increases teachers still can't get supplies needed and programs funded-yet the district continues to tax people right out of the town and those who stay still suffer from poor education

will vote "no"

[Joe Reporter]

Send the budget packing.. Vote NO!!

[Mary Ann Hunter]

I'm torn as to how to vote--I want Beacon kids to benefit but I don't want job titles to be "made-up" so certain people can recieve salaries for doing nothing!!! Shouldn't the issues be for the good of the kids??????????????