Pelham Proposes $76.7 Million School Budget For 2020-21

Editor's Note: The deadline for school districts to receive school budget ballots has been extended. Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order Sunday saying the ballots can be accepted by hand delivery through 5 p.m. Tuesday or received by mail through June 16 by the school district. SEE: Cuomo Extends Deadline For Mail-In School Budget Ballots

PELHAM, NY — The Clarkstown Board of Education will do a new thing this spring — hold its annual budget vote by absentee ballot only. That's one of the many changes forced on the district by the new coronavirus pandemic in New York.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has warned that the economic effect of the shutdown imposed to curb the outbreak could mean much less money available for state education aid. The state will be assessing and adjusting its budget several times in the course of 2020. Cuomo's last estimate was that state aid could be 20 percent lower than already promised.

Pelham administrators and trustees cut $670,000 out of their original proposal in anticipation of lower revenues. Their final $76.7 million spending plan is 2.36 percent higher than the current budget. The proposed increase in the tax levy is 3.15 percent, under the state property tax cap.

In addition to the 2020-21 budget proposal, the absentee ballot will include a second proposition asking voters to authorize the district to transfer unspent funds between the previously approved 2018 bond projects.

Additionally, there are two uncontested seats for 3-year terms on the Board of Education.

You can check out the spending plan for 2020-21 and the annual school report cards here on the district's website.

Things to know:

1. School district budget votes and school board elections are by absentee ballot only in 2020.
2. Absentee ballots will be mailed to all registered voters in the district the week of May 25.
3. If you are not registered, you may register by mail with the County Board of Elections or apply through the state online.
4. Absentee ballots must be received by 5 p.m. June 9.

To vote, you must be:

• A United States citizen
• At least 18 yrs of age by June 9, 2020
• A resident of the district by May 10, 2020
• Cannot have been disqualified from voting based upon a reason described in Election Law §5-106.