06-16-2000 What residents will be asked to decide in Tuesday

By FRANK NARDOZZI

Many local residents seem to be confused over the fact that there will be two propositions in the Bedford Central school budget vote this coming Tuesday, June 20.

In a nutshell, Proposition I is the basic school budget and could be passed on its own, regardless of the vote on Proposition 2.

Proposition 2 is a supplementary spending proposal that will be voted on separately. It cannot be adopted unless the basic budget (Proposition 1), is passed also.

Proposition I represents a budget of $65,341,508 for 2000-2001 and reflects a 6.1 percent increase in spending over this year's spending plan. It is almost $1.5 million less than the original budget proposal, which was voted down by school district residents on May 16. Proposition I takes into account community input gathered at three special public meetings held by the Bedford Central School Board.

The savings were achieved by the school board after some consolidation and elimination of programs and staffing, plus the deferral of $365,160 in facilities projects, technology spending and bus replacements.

According to district officials, adoption of the basic budget, or Proposition 1, by itself would result in tax rate increases of 5.88 percent in Bedford, 5.81 percent in Mount Kisco, 7.16 percent in Pound Ridge, 7.04 percent in New Castle and 17.11 percent in North Castle. North Castle has been uniquely affected this year by changes in the state equalization rate.

Proposition 2

Budget Proposition 2 would allow for an additional $488,500 in spending in the 2000-2001 school year for certain capital improvements, bus replacement, after school activities transportation and academic support services to help students attain compliance with state-mandated standards.

Also included are costs associated with community use of school facilities and an allowance of $115,000 in BOCES Arts-in-Education programming, which is subsequently reimbursed to the district through state aid and user fees.

The combined total of both Propositions I and 2 is about $1 million less than the original budget presented to voters on May 16.

If Proposition 2 is adopted along with the basic budget, there would, be tax rate increases of 6.79 percent in Bedford, 6.71 percent in Mount Kisco, 8.08 percent in Pound Ridge, 7.95 percent in New Castle and 18.11 percent in North Castle.

Contingency budget

Under New York state law, a contingency budget must be adopted by a school district if local voters fail to pass a proposed budget the second time. As the result of contingency budget limitations and cap restrictions, the Bedford Central School Board would be required to reduce spending by an estimated $2.3 million from the base budget of $65,341,508 set forth in Proposition 1.

According to Bruce Dennis, Bedford Central's schools superintendent, reductions in program spending alone would likely be more than $1 million, while an administrative spending cap would result in an estimated $300,000 cut in that area. Additional non-contingent items would be cut as well.

Voting will take place at residents'. attendance area elementary schools ort Tuesday, June 20, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m~ Absentee ballot applications are available from Bedford Centrals district clerk, Verna Carr, at 241-6021.

Bedford Central board of education members encourage all voters to become thoroughly acquainted with the contents of the two propositions and review the sample ballot information to be provided at the polls before entering the voting booth.