Pearl River Board Of Education To Hold Budget Hearing Tuesday

PEARL RIVER, NY — The Pearl River Board of Education will hold a public hearing on its budget proposal for 2021-22 on Tuesday.

The spending plan of $73,976,753 represents an increase of 4.2 percent over current spending. The proposed tax levy is 1.94 percent, under the state's property tax cap.

Pearl River will receive additional education aid, including $4.6 million in one-time revenue from federal coronavirus funding, which can be used for a wide range of activities to address needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, New York state increased its Foundation Aid for the year by $800,000, and the district received a universal Pre-K expansion grant of $297,000.

There are two seats open for the Board of Education, currently held by Bruce Bond and Jackie Dubil Craig. Both are seeking re-election. Three additional candidates are running: Thomas DePrisco, James Minicozzi and Robert Wells. Find candidate profiles here.

Board members serve three-year terms and are unpaid.

Here are important upcoming dates:

• 2021-22 School Budget Hearing - 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 4
• Board of Education Candidates' Night - 7 p.m. May 11
• School Budget Vote & BOE Election - 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. May 18

The district has consolidated to one polling place for all voters, at Pearl River High School's Pirate Cove.