Letter To The Editor: Board Seeks Voter Approval Of Budget Plans

Dear Editor:

We hope you and your families are safe and well during these unprecedented times. As a board, we are writing to encourage all eligible residents in the Ossining School District to make their voices heard on the proposed 2021-22 Ossining School District budget and election for two Board of Education seats. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 18 in the Ossining High School large gymnasium.

The Board of Education is proposing a $139.8 million budget that has a 0% increase in the property tax levy over the 2020-21 budget. This is proposition 1 on the ballot. This is the 10th consecutive year the school board is recommending a budget that is at or below the state’s limit on raising the levy.

We are pleased to report that the district will receive $3.8 million in Foundation Aid next year. This is a significant down payment on reversing a longstanding funding inequity for our district. It will bring Ossining from 48% of the total amount it is due to 60% in 2021-22. With the additional Foundation Aid, the district is able to keep the tax levy at a 0% increase while still providing quality programming. The budget prioritizes maintaining optimal class sizes; social and emotional learning; extended learning opportunities for students; and school facilities maintenance and upgrades; among other areas. The district would add teachers and teaching assistants in multiple subjects and grades.

Proposition 2 on the ballot is for the 2021-22 Ossining Public Library budget. There are also elections for two seats on the Library Board of Trustees.

Proposition 3 asks voters to weigh in on acquiring the former United Methodist church and its adjoining house property on Emwilton Place for $2.4 million. The purchase would not have any impact on the property tax levy. The district has entered into a contract for the purchase, pending voter approval. The property, which recently became available, would alleviate OHS’ shortage of instructional space. The renovations would provide space for current undersized cultural arts instructional spaces and a dedicated Science and Engineering lab. The district could repurpose existing arts space to create additional instructional space. The acquisition would also allow for additional parking at OHS.

Proposition 3 is a vote on buying the property only. Preliminary plans for renovations need to be refined and approved by the New York State Education Department before requesting voter approval. The district anticipates placing a proposal on the ballot in the coming months to use existing reserves for renovations – without impacting the tax levy. The state would reimburse Ossining for 64% of the cost of the project over 15 years.

For more information about the budget, board candidates and the voting process, including absentee voting, please visit the 2021-2022 budget page and the Board of Education election page on the district website, www.ossiningufsd.org.

Ossining Board of Education

Lisa Rudley, President
Graig Galef, Vice President
Melissa M. Banta
Katherin Crossling
Diana E. Lemon
Frank Schnecker
Aaron Spring