SHARE

Irvington Voters Pass School Budget, Elect Challengers to Board of Education

This story was updated at 10 p.m.

IRVINGTON, N.Y. – Voters in the Irvington Union Free School District approved a $51.2 million budget and elected Robyn Kerner and Maria Kashkin to the Irvington Board of Education. 

The budget  passed with 904 votes for and 425 against, school officials announced Tuesday night of the unofficial results. Kerner and Kashkin received 797 and 732 votes respectively, according to the unofficial tally.

"I'm excited," Kerner said. "We get to really work with the new superintendent. We get to really formulate the district's financial plan. I'm really excited.”

Kashkin agreed, saying she was relieved the campaign was over.

Incumbents John Dawson and Robyne Camp faced challenges from Kerner, Kashkin and Della Lenz in the hotly contested election. School board members serve three-year terms.

The passed budget totaling $51.2 million will raise the tax rate 3.01 percent. The budget, which falls under the tax cap, eliminates the fifth-grade language program and reduces staff positions throughout the district. Staff reductions include a guidance counselor at the high school and general education aides at Dows Lane Elementary.

The budget also adds five special education teachers and one aide in addition to an academic intervention service position. A new assistant superintendent for curriculum and personnel is included in the budget as well.

Superintendent Robert Roelle said he was delighted the budget passed.

"I think it means that the community stood behind the school district," he said. "There were difficult budget issues that the community had to address with the board and in the end the community supported it almost by a two-to-one margin."

to follow Daily Voice Tarrytown-SleepyHollow and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE