New Rochelle Voters OK Budget and Capital Improvement Bond Tuesday

NEW ROCHELLE, NY - New Rochelle voters approved the 2016-17 budget and the proposed capital improvement bond Tuesday.

According district officials, the $253.7 million budget received 3.162 votes in favor and 1,321 against.

The $106.5 million capital improvement bond was approved by a 3,207-1,263 vote.

The results are unofficial.

“We are grateful for the support from New Rochelle voters for this capital improvement bond and annual budget and the trust the community has placed in our administration,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian G. Osborne in a prepared statement. “This is a necessary investment in our school buildings that will not only address safety and health issues but also reflect the pride we all have in our district.”

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The bond will address infrastructure needs in every school in the district.

Work will include roof replacements, masonry restorations, window replacements, ADA compliance upgrades and pavement and drainage replacements.

There will be no net increase in debt service over the lifetime of the bond, district officials said, because completing payments on existing debt, low interest rates on lending and a 48.7 percent reimbursement rate from the state.

The 2016-17 budget was $3.6 million, or 1.41 percent, more than the 2015-16 spending package.

All programs, faculty and staff positions will be maintained and seven teaching positions will be added.

Incumbent Board of Education Trustee Rachel Relkin was re-elected to bthe board along with Todd Kern, according results on the district's website. The terms are five years and will begin July 1, 2016.

Photo credit: nred.org.