Yorktown Schools Chief: "Exercise Your Right to Vote"

In a letter, addressed to Yorktown community members, superintendent Dr. Ralph Napolitano urges people to come out and vote on May 15. 

The district budget vote and board of election trustee vote will be held at  from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Below is the complete letter written by Napolitano and posted on the school district's website.

The budget-to-budget increase is 1.15%, which includes BOCES capital project expenses. This year’s budget has a tax rate increase of 2.31%. We are proud to note that the district was $908,000 below the cap allowance. Despite the decreases in funding and the increases in mandates and tax certiorari expenses, this budget enables the district to maintain all of its current programs. It also supports the continuation of all district and building-level initiatives in curriculum, instruction, technology and student development.

Additionally, it is important for you to know we continue to spend almost 60% of the budget on the children in the classroom, ranking us among the top ten districts in the county who dedicate the bulk of the budget for instruction. Conversely, the administrative costs in the district are less than 3%, ranking us among the lowest districts for expenses related to administration and supervision. Our staff strives to educate the whole child as we address academics, social/emotional issues, character and civility, music, fine and performing arts and athletics initiatives. These are addressed in the budget newsletter which you will soon receive in the mail; it is available via all school websites.

It is important for you to cast your vote [on] Tuesday. The strength of our community is derived from the strength of our schools. If the budget does not pass, the Board of Education has a second opportunity to provide the same or a revised budget for the voters’ consideration. A revised budget will result in reduced services. If the budget fails a second time, a contingency budget is mandated by the state, resulting in an ADDITIONAL reduction to the budget of $1,600,000, detailed on the 2012-2013 budget website. Some of the areas that may be cut are detailed within the attached document called “Items that the Board will have to consider.” 

Please exercise your right to vote. Thank you.

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