Pearl River School Board Adopts Proposed 2012-13 Budget

The Pearl River School District's final public discussion of the 2012-13 budget before it goes to the voters May 15 included no surprises at Tuesday's board of education meeting.

District Director of Operations Quinton Van Wynen proposed the budget for adoption, saying it was right in line with the discussions over the past month. The proposed budget includes a 2.97% tax increase for homeowners and adheres to the New York State mandated tax cap at 2.15%.

Van Wynen said the actual tax increase would not be finalized until all information is in from the Orangetown Assessor's Office in July. The estimated non-homestead increase is 0.95%.

"These are the numbers that will appear on the ballot May 15," Van Wynen said.

No questions were raised regarding the budget during the meeting, which lasted less than a half hour, though one resident did show up after 8 p.m. asking where the public hearing was.

The Pearl River School District voting will run from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 15 at Pearl River High School's Pirate Cove.

In addition to the budget, there will be an election for two seats on the board of education. There are three candidates for the two open spots. Bruce Bond and Jackie Curtiss, who currently hold them, are running for re-election. Pearl River High School PTA Co-President Patrice Carrieri is also running.

The Pearl River School District will hold a candidates' night May 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the District Administration Building on Crooked Hill Road. 

The ballot will also include a citizen-initiated petition to change the bus eligibility limits at Pearl River High School. 

The next Pearl River Board of Education meeting is scheduled for approximately 9:15 p.m. May 15, after the polls have closed and the vote on the district budget is in. 

The district held three budget presentations spread through February and March, but Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Morgano said that it is still important to get the word out about the vote.

"It's amazing how many people ask if the budget vote is coming up," Morgano said. "Don't assume people know."