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A crucial vote is before us this Tuesday, May 18. While only about 13 CENTS of your tax dollar goes to Village expenses, the remaining 87 (!) goes to the school; a healthier goal is a 65-35 split. A YES vote recognizes that disparity and begins the process of bringing it back in line.
This disproportionate spending curve has escalated dramatically over the past 10 years - like a speeding car heading for a cliff, it is time to put on the brakes (and save the car....and its passengers). Homeowners, both with and without children in the district, are seeing its dramatic effects on real estate. Sellers have been forced to drastically cut asking prices to offset historically high tax assessments, and for those who choose to stay, tax burdens are becoming unbearable.
The Bronxville School Administration and Board of Education have approved a responsible budget that finally applies the brakes to unsustainable spending practices. This done without adversely affecting academics - a goal set forth when budget planning commenced.
You have probably heard and read a number of people urging you to vote NO; their primary concerns centering on their objection to outsourcing the custodial staff and scaling back the clerical staff. This makes little sense and they are ill-advised; they certainly must not realize a NO vote would actually trigger further cuts via a required contingency budget. This would be unfortunate. The Administration and Board of Ed have carefully crafted cuts that do not affect academics. Rolling back spending in a responsible and gradual manner is far more preferable than an imposed draconian cut.
Polls are open from 7 am - 9 pm at the Bronxville School. Please take a moment to vote YES. And don't forget to support the upcoming candidates for School Board. We can be one of the few high-performance school districts in New York State that budget responsibly, maintain superior academic standards, and encourage residents with and without families, both young & old, to keep calling the Village of Bronxville home.
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