2010 School Board, Library Board & Budget Voters' Guide: Chappaqua

Here is an overview of what to know for Tuesday's school board, library board and budget votes in the Chappaqua Central School District:

Voting

Polls will be open on Tuesday, May 18, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Horace Greeley High School's gym will serve as the sole polling place.

Budgets

The proposed school budget for 2010-11 is $109,391,348, and will have a 1.9 percent budget-to-budget increase from last year. There would be a 2.32 tax levy increase for the overall district, but New Castle resident would have a tax increase of 2.32 percent for $1,000 per assessed valuation. Mount Pleasant residents who are in the district would have a large increase for that category of 12.31 percent, due to differences in the equalization rate. However, the district cautions that the final rates will not be known until August, when there are finalized assessments for the district's towns. 

The school district will reduce positions in the budget. Nearly seven teaching positions will be cut, but the board stresses declining enrollment is a factor and will not hurt the classroom. Other cuts include two for buildings and grounds, 1.3 clerical and 0.2 administrative positions. 

Meanwhile, the Chappaqua Library's 2010-11 budget is more than $2.7 million. There would be a 1.86 percent tax rate increase for New Castle and a 11.97 increase for Mount Pleasant due to the equalization rate. 

Changes to the library would include eliminating one hour from Sundays - switching from hours of 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., to 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. It would also include having employees working fewer hours. 

School Board & Library Board

Four candidates are running for the Board of Education. Current member - and president - Jeffrey Mester, is running for another term. The three other candidates running are Randall Katchis, Amy Ansehl and Nona Ullman. For more information on their views, check out highlights from this past Thursday's candidates' night that was run by the New Castle chapter of the League of Women Voters.

Two library board candidates are running for one seat that is being vacated by Stan Kurzban. They are Eleanor Friedman and Caren Raylesberg. The two discussed their positions at the same event as the Board of Education candidates.

One issue is that of district finances. Residents have expressed concerns over the rates of spending and taxes at recent school board meetings, and at the candidates' night. Concerns about teachers' union compensation have also been brought up.

Issues of concern to the library candidates include expanding parking, revamping the children's section and bringing in new technology. Pursuing alternative sources of revenue, other than taxes, has also been discussed with the candidates.