Nyack School Board Adopts Budget; 2.17 Tax Uptick

Homeowners in the Nyack School District may see their property tax levy increase by 2.17 percent later this year.

The Nyack school board voted unanimously Tuesday night to adopt the for the upcoming academic year. The fiscal plan—which comes in at about $72.6 million—is a 1.73 percent increase from last year's budget.

No changes were made to the budget prior to its adoption.

"The budget will stay as it was presented April 3," said James Montesano, Nyack's superintendent. The plan calls for no program cuts or teacher layoffs, although in what Montesano calls a "restructuring."

Residents will vote on the budget May 15.

The budget received a , securing some $150,000 in early April—a 3.2 percent uptick in state aid compared to last year. Montesano said the funds will be used to help at-risk and under-performing students.  

This year is the first Nyack school board members have had to work within a state-mandated tax cap. Stipulations allow school boards to exceed governor Adnrew Cuomo's ceiling, but Nyack was able to tighten its belt and come in about $270,000 below the limit.

"Right out of the gate, the board's goal was preserving Nyack's programs," Montesano said. Montesano was previously a superintendent in New Jersey, where a tax cap had already been implemented.

The district will actually see an increase in program offerings come the 2012-13 school year, with an updated math curriculum and more professional development opportunities for teachers. —the long-time project of principal Joe Spero—will also be implemented next September.

Spero will be , and be replaced by current principal Nicole Saieva.

Homeowners in Nyack and neighboring regions will finance about 90 percent of the budget, though less than ten residents were present Tuesday evening.

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Budget timeline (view a complete copy here)

May 1... Budget information hearing

May 15... Budget/trustee vote, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.