RCS News

RCS Voters Approve $41.7 million 2012-13 school year budget by margin of 53 to 47 percent

(May 15, 2012) Voters in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District approved the district’s proposed 2012-13 budget on Tuesday, May 15. The final total was 1797 yes votes to 1602 no votes (53 percent to 47 percent).

The $41.7 million budget decreases spending by 1.7 percent, or $708,681 from the current school year, and carries a tax levy increase of 6.8 percent. Specific tax rate increases for the four towns within the district will be determined after the New York State Office of Real Property Services sets equalization rates in August.

A total of 3438 district residents participated in the vote, a 72 percent increase over last year's voter turnout of 1998. Voters also approved a special proposition for the purchase of three school buses and one suburban. That vote total was 1706 yes votes to 1599 no votes.

In the Board of Education election, Alice Whalen, Howard Engel and Edward Reville were elected to three-year terms expiring June 30, 2015; Judith Sylvester was elected to a one-year term expiring June 30, 2013.

“Thank you to our community for an incredible show of support on behalf of the Board of Education, administration, staff and students of RCS,” said Superintendent of Schools Elisabeth Smith. “RCS faced an unprecedented budget challenge this year, and the board worked diligently find a balance that sustained our educational mission as efficiently and affordably as possible for our tax payers. The turnout at the polls was a truly inspiring show of the power of democracy. Thank you to all who voted for being part of this decision and voicing your choice for our community and our schools."