Letter to the Editor: Vote For Ossining School Budget May 15

Dear Editor:

After a comprehensive and transparent process, the Board of Education unanimously adopted a budget for the 2018-19 school year. The $128.7 million plan preserves academic offerings, activities and the arts while staying within the annual cap on the property tax levy.

The budget-to-budget increase would be $3 million, or 2.45 percent. The increase in the tax levy would be 2.33 percent, which is at the limit under the state’s tax levy cap law. This is the seventh consecutive year that the district’s budget has been at or below the cap. Because of that, taxpayers who receive a School Tax Relief (STAR) exemption would again be eligible for a tax credit.

The budget would maintain arts and athletics programs, afterschool activities at Anne M. Dorner Middle School, and the district’s recently expanded STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs in the elementary schools. It would preserve electives and the prestigious Science Research Program. It includes funding for adequate instructional staff in each grade as enrollment continues to grow.

The budget would fund a number of projects to maintain the district’s infrastructure, including replacing an athletic field at AMD and reconfiguring the narrow drive at Ossining High School that leads up to the circle and entrance. It also funds safety and security measures across the district, such as a more secure entrance to Claremont School.

Ossining received an additional $731,000 in state Foundation Aid for 2018-19 above and beyond the governor’s executive budget. While that doesn’t come close to meeting the needs of our growing population, the Board of Education and administration will work to make sure this does not negatively impact students’ experiences in the classroom. We will continue to pursue our fair share of state education aid, and we thank all the parents and community members for their advocacy on behalf of our children.

Please make sure your voice is heard by voting May 15 on the budget and on candidates for two Board of Education seats. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Ossining High School small gymnasium. Details of the budget are on the district’s website – www.ossiningufsd.org.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Lisa Murray, President
Ossining Board of Education
lmurray@ossining.k12.ny.us