Eastchester Schools send 4.74 percent tax levy increase to voters

Tuesday night, the Eastchester School Board voted unanimously to adopt a $71.8 million budget proposal for 2011-2012, a 3.9 percent spending increase over last year's budget and an increase of 4.74 percent in the amount of taxes levied.

An estimate of the tax rate, which includes the reductions in the assessed valuation from property owners who successfully contest their taxes, was not provided by the district.

The budget, which will be voted on by district residents on May 17, includes reductions in a number of partial teaching positions in various subject areas and the elimination of four full-time equivalent (FTE) teaching assistants district-wide.

The board also voted to include a separate proposition on the May ballot, asking voters to approve a separate, unbudgeted expense of $300,000 to complete repairs to the exterior of the Anne Hutchinson School building. District officials specified that the second proposition is not a bond but would also be paid for through property taxes levied in the upcoming year, if voters accept it.

For more on the Eastchester Schools budget, check out the April 15 issue of The Town Report newspaper!