Rye School Bond Fails by 18 Votes

Written By: Robert Cox

RYE, NY — A proposed $80 million Rye Schools capital bond failed today by a margin of 18 votes, less than 1% with 1457 YES and 1475 NO.

“The infrastructure needs of the School District’s buildings remain, and the Administration and Board of Education will have to consider how to address the needed work to remedy them,” said Rye Superintendent of Schools Dr. Eric Byrne.

“We thank the members of the community who took the time to educate themselves about the bond and came out to vote today,” Byrne added.

Some opponents felt the bond was too big.

“Overall its too much money to hand in a lump sum unchecked to any operation like this,” said longtime Rye resident Ted Carroll. “I support a series of smaller issuance’s along the way, each approved step by step by the voters, just like we always have.

UPDATE: After counting all of the affidavit and eligible absentee ballots, the vote count now stands at 1,478 NO 1,468 YES.