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LEWISBORO, N.Y. Katonah-Lewisboro school district residents on Tuesday approved the schools budget by 1,393 votes to 849, according to unofficial results.
"Tonight you voted to pass the 2012-13 budget; that tells us that the budget identifies your goals, and we are grateful," said school board President Mark Lipton. "We are grateful and we will work hard to guarantee the education you voted for."
The $113 million spending package calls for a 2.1 percent increase in the property tax levy. It will eliminate 24 full-time jobs, including nine teaching positions. It is an increase of 1.8 percent from last years budget.
Lipton also offered congratulations to newly elected board members Majorie Schiff and Stephanie Tobin.
"Your Thursday nights are no longer your own," he told them. "But seriously, we hope you find it as fulfilling to work on the board as we do."
Voters also said yes to a $5.9 million proposition for building renovations and improvements. The proposition passed 1,499 to 724. It addresses about 20 percent of a five-year capital improvement plan, estimated at $29.6 million, that was completed by an external firm to address the districts future needs. The projects in this proposition include replacing boilers, repairing roofs and upgrading playgrounds.
School officials said these projects are aimed at offsetting future expenses for energy and will be funded through the use of money that remains in the capital reserve along with available fund balance. They will not require borrowing or increasing taxes.
"I want to thank the voters for their confidence in the expenditures," Lipton said.
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