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Scarsdale Schools Budget May Break State Tax Cap

SCARSDALE, N.Y. – The Scarsdale Board of Education is expected to break the state-mandated tax cap to avoid cutting another $1.7 million in its budget, which would require 60 percent of Scarsdale voters to say yes for it to pass.

Scarsdale Public Schools Superintendent Michael McGill

Scarsdale Public Schools Superintendent Michael McGill

Photo Credit: File

The board did not use the tax cap as a target when putting together the proposed $146.2 million budget, according to the budget summary. The allowable tax levy under the state tax cap is 3.5 percent. However, the board will ask for 4.8 percent more in taxes from Scarsdale residents and 4.9 percent more from Mamaroneck residents that fall within the Scarsdale School district.

In dollars and cent, school taxes will go up by $41.55 to $910.48 per $1,000 of assessed value in Scarsdale by $43.08 to $926.17 per $1,000 in Mamaroneck.

If 60 percent voters do not approve the budget, it can be voted on again in June. If the budget fails again, the levy from the prior year is used. The 2012-2013 tax levy was 3.4 percent.

A total of 4.1 teaching positions were eliminated and 3.4 civil service positions added in the budget. Another 1.4 staff positions were added at the high school to meet enrollment and program needs. However, attrition at the high and middle schools offsets that increase. The budget also includes additional funding for new classroom door locks and entrance intercoms, and staff to monitor them at the high school.

The public vote on the budget is from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 21 at the Scarsdale Middle School. To comment on the proposed budget, call 914-721-2410, write to the board at 2 Brewster Road, or email boardofed@scarsdaleschools.org.

Copies of the budget are available at the Scarsdale Public Library, the Board of Education office, and online.

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