NEW ROCHELLE, NY (May 10, 2023) — On May 16, 2023, voters in New Rochelle will head to the polls to elect two Board of Education members, vote on the adoption of the 2023-2024 school district budget, and decide on a $29 million capital bond to fund facility and security improvements. They will also cast their ballots for the 2023-2024 New Rochelle Public Library budget and elect two trustees to the Library Board of Trustees. The proposed school district budget of $316,135,242 reflects a spending increase of $17,374,285, or 5.82%, with a tax levy increase of 0.98%. Approximately 84% of the budget will go toward fixed expenses, including salaries, benefits, and transportation. The proposed budget maintains all programs and services but does not add any new positions.
In addition to the school district budget, voters will also be asked to authorize a $29 million capital bond for the enhancement of facilities and security improvements. The bond would be used to fund the installation of secure public entry vestibules in all ten district-owned school sites, as well as mechanical ventilation to all naturally ventilated classrooms at Isaac E. Young Middle School. The bond proposition also seeks to acquire adjacent properties to Columbus Elementary School to accommodate future growth from downtown development and alleviate parking and traffic concerns.
Superintendent Jonathan P. Raymond said that the proposed budget focuses on investing resources in key strategic priorities, such as student wellness, creating a graduate profile defining competencies each graduate should have, improving literacy instruction, and expanding learning opportunities before and after school and during the summer. The proposed budget also aims to support expanded opportunities for students by providing access to dual enrollment in high school and college courses, a general equivalency diploma program, and a new school focused on career, technical, and vocational education.
Residents can find more details on the proposed budget and bond proposition on the budget portion of the school district’s website.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was generated by ChatGPT based on the City School District of New Rochelle budget newsletter.