With a record voter turnout, and riding a wave of unanimous endorsements from the Board of Education and PTO’s, plus a widespread “Vote Yes” campaign, Rye voters overwhelmingly endorsed an $82,884,603 school budget for 2015-2016 May 19.

 

With a record voter turnout, and riding a wave of unanimous endorsements from the Board of Education and PTO’s, plus a widespread “Vote Yes” campaign, Rye voters overwhelmingly endorsed an $82,884,603 school budget for 2015-2016 May 19. With 2,418 or 70% “yes” votes against 1,034 “no’s”, voters provided far more than the 60% super-majority required for a tax cap override.

 

In the only other override vote in Westchester, Edgemont voters also endorsed their budget with over 80% voting in favor. Every Westchester school district reporting results had budgets approved by voters.

 

Only three candidates sought the three open seats on the Board of Education, which will have one new member, Kelly Smith-Powers, who received 1,784 votes. Voters also returned Nancy Pasquale and Chris Repetto to the Board, with 2,021 and 1,921 votes respectively. Their three-year terms begin July 1.

 

“On behalf of the Board of Education and the Rye City School District, I’d like to thank the record number of community members who came out to vote today and delivered a clear message of support for our public schools,” said Board President Laura Slack.  Dr. Frank Alvarez, Superintendent of Schools added, “On behalf of the Administration, I would like to thank the Rye City School District community for voting in support of the Proposed 2015-16 School Budget.  This budget will enable us to maintain the high quality of the educational program that our community has come to value and expect.  We deeply appreciate the community’s involvement throughout the budget process.”