Pearl River Sets Hearing On $70.99 Million School Budget

PEARL RIVER, NY — The Pearl River Board of Education will do a new thing on June 1 — hold its annual budget hearing remotely. That's only one of the many changes forced on the district by the new coronavirus pandemic in New York.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has warned that the economic effect of the shutdown imposed to curb the outbreak could mean much less money available for state education aid. The state will be assessing and adjusting its budget several times in the course of 2020. Cuomo's last estimate was that state aid would be 20 percent lower than already promised.

For Pearl River, that's $1.08 million.

Administrators and trustees have been working on how to mitigate the effect of lower revenues since March. The top three areas for savings: unspent money as a result of school closure; cutting spending on non-mandated expenses such as on equipment, professional development and certain transportation; and, possibly, summer school.

The spending plan they're putting before voters is $70.99 million. The proposed increase in the tax levy is 2.8 percent.

There will also be a second proposition on the ballot: a $7 million supplemental bond to complete the $24 million High School and Middle School Capital Projects. Prices have risen due to a highly competitive regional construction market and steel tariffs, school officials said. The work includes renovating labs and classrooms and expanding the middle school gym.

Here's the superintendent's presentation on the 2020-21 budget from May 12.

The school board will hold its annual budget hearing at 7 p.m. June 1. Watch it on PRSD YouTube Live.

For the agenda: BoardDocs

There is one seat opening on the Board of Education, as Thomas DePrisco is not seeking re-election. Three candidates are running: Eric Foote, Daniel Hooker, and Kathleen Ann Kelley.

The term commences on July 1, 2020 and runs through June 30, 2023.

Things to know:

1. School district budget votes and school board elections are by absentee ballot only in 2020.
2. Absentee ballots will be mailed to all registered voters in Pearl River on May 22.
3. If you are not registered, you may register by mail with the County Board of Elections or apply through the state online.

To vote, you must be:

• A United States citizen
• At least 18 yrs of age by June 9, 2020
• A resident of the district by May 10, 2020
• Cannot have been disqualified from voting based upon a reason described in Election Law §5-106.