Rye-Area School District Voters Guide

RYE, NY — New York residents are asked to vote on their local school district's budget and board of education by mail this year because of the new coronavirus pandemic. New York's 700 districts ordered absentee ballots and envelopes for every registered voter.

That meant that problems such as the paper shortage plaguing communities during the beginning of the pandemic became problems for the districts.

Under Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order, ballots must be returned to the District Clerk by 5 p.m. June 9 though some political officials are trying to have the deadline extended.

Here are fast facts about the ballot in Rye.

Rye School District

Voting information

Board of Education

There are seven candidates running for two Board of Education positions: They are James Culyer, Vivek Kamath, Pooja Kotecha, John Leonard, Petra Nemeth, Mia Schultz and Tom Stein. School trustees serve three year terms and are unpaid.

School budget

• Proposed for 2020-21: $92,391,461
• Increase over current spending: 1.57 percent
• Tax levy increase: 2.21 percent

If not mailed, ballots can be dropped off at the School District offices at 555 Theodore Fremd Ave., Suite B101. Contactless drop-off is available via a lockbox in the vestibule.

Blind Brook School District

Voting information

Board of Education

There are three candidates running for two Board of Education positions: They are incumbent Jennifer Schlactus, Tina Steinberg and Robin Willig. School trustees serve three year terms and are unpaid.

School budget

• Proposed for 2020-21: $50,409,032
• Increase over current spending: 8.9 percent
• Tax levy increase: 9.93 percent