Video: Chester BOE Moves School Elections to November

Citing increased democratic participation and a vow of continued fiscal responsibility, the Chester K-8 school district board of education and moved its election to November.

Board vice-president Kerri Wright and board member Tracy Young were the dissenting votes.

An approval of the option to move the election, , no longer requires the public to vote on the proposed budget, unless it goes above the state mandated tax levy cap. In the event the budget does surpass the cap, voters will be asked to approve or deny just that portion of excess.

Town resident Brian Curley and his wife Karen (the only two residents who attended the meeting) were concerned that the vote would lead to a tax increase.

Board member Gary Lakritz reminded everyone that the board was comprised of tax payers who would not be in a hurry to raise taxes irresponsibly. Board secretary Mary Jane Canose also confirmed that line items would be made available to the public so they could weigh in on them.

Board president Ray Trevisan, Christine Hofstetter, Heather Ronco and Laura Fishman all shared their reasoning behind the move while Wright explained her reason for voting no. 

That discussion can be found in the video above.