Voters Approve 2014-15 Scarsdale School Budget by 77.9%

There were no surprises last night when the 2014-15 Scarsdale school budget received a 77.9% approval from voters, with 777 votes in favor and 220 votes against. The $148,200,685 budget will mean a 3.76% tax increase for voters in Scarsdale and a bump of 1.42% for those in the Mamaroneck strip and funds five new teaching positions in the elementary school to maintain class sizes at 22 students in grades K-2 and 24 students in grades 4 and 5. At Scarsdale High School, three new teaching positions will be added in science, social studies and math to accommodate increased enrollment. It also includes money to construct two additional science labs at SHS and wireless internet access for the elementary schools.

Ironically, rather than vote yes or no to the budget, someone wrote in the name, "Bob Berg," perhaps to remind the community that budget approval was not assured. Last year at this time, Berg galvanized opponents to an initial budget that exceeded the tax cap and included a hotly debated fitness center. This year's vote demonstrated the delicate balance between informing the public about the school budget while managing taxpayer backlash against it.

The Village is in the midst of implementing the first tax revaluation since 1969, and some will see a significant change in their assessed valuations and real estate taxes. Therefore, these are sensitive times to pass a school budget. Given the revaluation and the specter of the first defeated budget in May 2013-14, the school board opted to be conservative and proposed a budget below the adjusted state tax cap.

It appears that this year, voters returned to their usual complacency and many stayed home and assumed the budget would pass without their participation. Last May, 3,222 voters turned out and defeated the first proposed budget, giving it an approval rate of only 46.6%. However, this year the 997 votes did exceed the count for 2012-13 where a total of 725 votes were cast, (79% approved), 2011-12 when 877 voted (70% approved) and 2010-11 with 722 votes (76% approval).

An evening concert scheduled at the Middle School brought a rush of parents into vote at night, and may have increased participation and the approval rate.

Unlike past years when the outcome was uncertain, few turned out to observe the count. Board members, a few school administrators, the newly elected board members and their wives and a lone PTA President waited to hear the results.

Chris Morin and Scott Silberfein were elected to serve their first three-year terms on the Board of Education. Morin received 823 votes and Silberfein 847 votes. Both were at the gym with their wives looking cheerful and excited about their new roles. Coincidentally, Silberfiein's brother-in-law, Jon Faust was elected to the Edgemont School Board that same night.

Why was this night different from May, 2013? Board member Mary Beth Gose said that the Board began their budget discussions earlier in the year and offered detailed explanations of all aspects of the budget in their TED-style talks. Board member Lew Leone agreed, saying "it was the most transparent process, no questions were left unanswered and there was no organized opposition." Jonathan Lewis said that the process was "open and transparent," the budget "supports community values" and thought that the low turnout was due to the "absence of contention."

When the results were announced by former Board President Terri Simon, she said there were write-in votes for Mo Howard and Larry Fine. The group was silent until Jonathan Lewis broke out laughing and informed everyone that Mo Howard, Curly Howard and Larry Fine were the Three Stooges, lending the evening some comic relief.