Lakeland School District Budget Meeting Features Poor Public Turnout

Lakeland Central School District officials met publicly Tuesday night for the first time since . 

To begin, the board simply reviewed the budget proposal which contained no new information. Instead, the session was more of an opportunity for the public to voice their opinion about the board's agreed upon proposal in the form of a public forum.

However, not a single member of the public showed up to offer input on the matter. Board members hoped the lack of public representation wouldn't translate to into a small turnout on May 17, when the proposal will be put to a vote.

"I just want to urge everyone to come out and support what you believe in," Board of Education Vice President Carol Ann Dobson said. "Don't assume that someone else is going to go out and cast that vote for you. We need you to come out and cast it yourself."

The vote will be on the total proposed spending plan of $157.2 million. The figure represents a 1.74 percent increase from last year's budget, which is the lowest budget-to-budget increase since 1999. The proposal also would result in a 2.57 percent tax levy increase for school district residents. That increase, according to Superintendent George Stone, is the lowest in 13 years.

"As you know, this year, the district lost a considerable amount of state aid, and we were required to reduce the preliminary budgets that were presented in our work sessions by approximately $1.8 million," Stone said. "We did accomplish that by making minor cuts across the board from all areas, in particular personnel categories, including: administration, professional and support staff."

Along with the proposed budget, three board members, Scott Carey, Glen Malia and Michael Cherchia, will be up for re-election. The public will also be asked to vote on a proposition to purchase eight school bus vans for an amount not to exceed $340,000. 

"The school district's practice has been to maximize state aid by bonding the cost of the busses over five years," Assistant Superintendent of Business Ray Morningstar said. "So the cost associated with this proposition will not impact next year's tax levy."

There may have been a poor turnout Tuesday night, however this won't be the last opportunity for residents to speak with board members in a public forum. Lakeland Central School District officials will next meet for a May 12 business meeting at .

The budget proposal will be put to a vote on May 17 in the gym. Residents do not have to register separately if they are already registered in Westchester County as a general election voter. 

If residents are not registered they will be able to do so at any day up until May 10 at the district office and at Van Cortlandtville Elementary School from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

To view the proposed 2011-12 school budget, click here.