Pelham Voters To Decide On 2018-19 School Budget

PELHAM, NY — Voters in the Pelham school district will be going to the polls Tuesday, May 15 to have their say on the budget for the 2018-19 school year. In addition to the budget vote the ballot will also include two bond propositions and the election of candidates to two seats on the Board of Education.

The proposed budget totals $73,650,000 and has a tax levy increase of 2.09 percent, which is compliant with
the New York State tax cap, school officials said. The year-to- year budget increase is 1.20 percent. The projected homestead tax rate is $18.39 per $1,000 assessed home value and the projected non-homestead tax rate is $25.99 per $1,000 assessed value.

Among other highlights the spending plan includes funds to hire one additional Foreign Language elementary school teacher, which would enable the district to expand the program into fourth grade next year.

Also, by reallocating savings realized from several retirements in the Pupil Personnel Services department, the budget also supports the creation of a new Secondary Supervisor of Special Education position. This position is intended to increase social-emotional supports for middle and high school students by shifting some of the administrative burden away from school psychologists and providing them with more time and resources to meet the social-emotional needs of students.

“We are pleased to propose a budget which continues to make important strides toward the goals of our Strategic Plan – specifically in the areas of social-emotional wellness, and 21st century learning,” said Board of Education President Madeline Smith in a statement. “As a Board, we have reviewed this budget very carefully to ensure that each dollar spent is working to educate our students and prepare them for college and careers in an ever-evolving world."

Other key highlights in the budget include:

• Increasing dual-enrollment college credit course offerings at the high school, such as SUNY Criminal Justice, SUPA Academic Writing, and SUPA Presentational Speaking;

• Continuing professional development for integration of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme at Pelham Middle School and at Pelham Memorial High School in grades 9 and 10;

• Ensuring that class sizes across all grade levels are at or below Board of Education guidelines;

• Continuing implementation of mobile learning devices as well as exploring emerging technologies that support teaching and learning;

• Adding girls’ varsity golf and providing an additional coach for winter and spring track due to increased student participation;

• Investing in professional development of faculty related to STEAM, literacy, project-based assessments and learning standards.

The two other propositions on the ballot are related:

1. Authorize a $52.9 million bond for various improvements, including a new school to replace the Hutchinson School.

2. If 1 is approved, allow the district to bond $4.6 million on field improvements.

Find more information on the bond here.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 15 in the Pelham Memorial High School gym.