What You Need To Know: Bedford Patch School Election Guide

BEDFORD, NY — On Tuesday, voters will get the final say on proposed school budgets and property tax levies. Here's a quick guide to understanding the choices and making your voice heard at the polls.

BEDFORD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT:

Voters will be asked to approve the proposed school district budget. The proposed budget is $144,465,256, with a 3.38 percent increase over the 2020-21 spending package.

School officials said the tax levy will increase by 2.25 percent if the budget is approved by voters on Tuesday.

Two board of education seats for three-year terms are on the ballot. The candidates running are:

• Michael Bauscher (incumbent)
• Steven Matlin
• Robert Mazurek
• Namasha Schelling

The annual budget vote will be from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on May 18. Polling locations by election district:

• District #1: Mount Kisco Elementary School gymnasium
• District #2: Bedford Hills Elementary School cafeteria
• District #3: Pound Ridge Elementary School library
• District #4: West Patent Elementary School gymnasium
• District #5: Bedford Village Elementary School gymnasium

SEE ALSO: Bedford Central School District Public Budget Hearing

KATONAH-LEWISBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT:
The proposed budget is $113,242,880, with a 1.59 percent increase over the 2020-21 spending package.

School officials said the tax levy will increase by 1.79 percent if the budget is approved by voters.
The spending plan calls for the replacement of at least three school buses. The budget also includes funds for teacher pay raises.

There are a total of two school trustee seats to be filled for three-year terms. These are board of education seats with terms expiring on June 30. Board of Education candidates running are:

• Marjorie Schiff (incumbent)
• Elana Shneyer

There will also be one additional proposition on the ballot this year:

Proposition # 2 (Bus Replacements) purchase and pay for three passenger buses at a cost of $124,600 each, two passenger buses at a cost of $59,200 each, two passenger buses at a cost of $60,875 each; one Operations and Maintenance Vehicle at a cost of $57,000 for a total cost not to exceed $670,950. This will be funded from current funds available within the general fund and transferred to the capital fund.

The annual budget vote and board election will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on May 18. A post card was mailed to all registered voters prior to the vote with the exact polling location for each voter.

SEE ALSO: Katonah-Lewisboro School District Public Budget Hearing

NORTH SALEM SCHOOL DISTRICT:

The proposed budget for the district is $45,914,756, with a 2.11 percent increase over the 2020-21 spending package.

School officials said the tax levy will increase by 1.26 percent if the budget is approved by voters on Tuesday.

There are a total of two school trustee seats to be filled for three-year terms. The following candidates are running for the trustee seats:

• Jaime Roche
• Paul Giamundo (incumbent)
• Brian Lange

Voters will also be asked to vote on a second proposition regarding funding for a $6.9 million athletic fields improvement project, which will include a new synthetic turf field on the MS/HS campus, field lighting, netting, score board and bleachers. The project calls for four unisex restrooms and improvements to Tompkins Field.

SEE ALSO: North Salem School District Public Budget Hearing

The annual budget vote and board election will be from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on May 18 at Pequenakonck Elementary School, in the gymnasium.