Pearl River Polls Still Open; Voters React to Budget, Transportation Change

The vote for the Pearl River 2011-12 budget and the proposed reduction in transportation for the high school will continue until 9 p.m. tonight.

Pearl River School District residents are voting on two propositions today.

• Proposition 1: PRSD 2011-12 Budget. $58.99 million, including projected tax increase of 2.43 percent for homeowners. This includes the loss of 8.8 full-time positions, either through retirements or the elimination of programs with low enrollment.
• Proposition 2: Would change the transportation eligibility limits for the high school, reducing the busing provided by the district. It would go from 1.5 miles to three miles for students in grades 9-12 and from 1.5 miles to two miles for students in the eighth grade. This would save approximately $190,000.

There is also one seat on the board of education on the ballot, but incumbent Thomas DePrisco ran unopposed.

The issue that drew the strongest comments was the proposed reduction in transportation, though parent Allyson O'Hanlon expressed concerns about both propositions. She was among the voters Patch spoke with Tuesday afternoon.

"Becuase of the budget cuts, which are severe," O'Hanlon said. "And we live at 1.8 miles and we would have to cross route 304. I don't want my 13-year-old to have to cross 304."

Parent Allison McKenna supported the 2011-12 budget, but not the transportation change.

"I thought it should have been talked about more," McKenna said. "I don't thik a lot of people knew that it was going to that. People don't think it effects them and it probably does."

Resident Sue Cowie said wanted to make sure the budget passed.

"It is important to pass tthe budget to keep the programs we have," Cowie said.