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RYE, N.Y. – The Rye City School District overwhelmingly passed its 2012-13 budget of $73,580,000 Tuesday. The budget received 1,221 yes votes and 421 no votes, according to unofficial results.
The district’s current Board of Education President Laura Slack, along with newcomers Nancy Pasquale and Chris Repetto, were elected to the board. Slack was the only incumbent seeking another term as current board members Josh Diamond and Ray Schmitt did not seek re-election. Slack received 1,261 votes, Pasquale received 1,217 votes and Repetto received 955 votes, according to district officials. The fourth candidate, Patrick Cox, was unsuccessful in his bid with 741 votes.
The budget pulls $2.5 million out of the district's $15 million fund balance in order to plug a $1.7 million hole in operating costs for the 2012-13 school year. The remaining $800,000 will be allocated to renovate locker rooms at the high school.
The budget reduces the number of clerical positions from 15 full-time employees to 13 and the number of aides from five to three. In addition, it does not provide funds for the replacement of the middle school librarian who is retiring in June. However, the district previously restored a total of 2.5 clerical and aide positions, added a custodial position and two full-time faculty to accommodate the district’s growing enrollment.
State lawmakers passed legislation placing a 2 percent cap on the increases property tax collectors could levy on citizens last June. The district’s adopted property tax levy increase is cap compliant at 1.94 percent.
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