Armonk, NY
News
Seven Charged In Elaborate, Multi-Million Dollar Scam Involving Hudson Valley Schools Seven Charged In Elaborate, Multi-Million Dollar Scam Involving Hudson Valley Schools
Seven Charged In Elaborate, Multi-Million Dollar Scam Involving Hudson Valley Schools Seven Hudson Valley residents have been charged in a “wide-ranging” multi-million dollar scheme to defraud a federal “E Rate” subsidy program involving school technology funding earmarked for underprivileged children. Geoffrey Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the unsealing of an indictment, which charges seven Monsey, Monroe and Spring Valley residents with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud charges. Those charged include Monsey residents Simon Goldbrenner, 55, Ben Klein, 39, Sholem Steinberg, 39, and Aron Melber, 42. Monroe res…

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by Zak Failla
Mahopac, NY
Schools
Voters Approve Brewster School Budget Voters Approve Brewster School Budget
Voters Approve Brewster School Budget Voters in the Brewster Central School District approved a $98 million budget for next year. A total of 1,123 Brewster residents voted for the budget proposal and 454 against it on Tuesday, June 19. Brewster was among three Hudson Valley school districts where taxpayers were asked to vote a second tie after the initial proposal was defeated. Brewster's next operating budget will increase the property tax levy by 2.22 percent. In May, Brewster voters rejected a proposed $99 million budget: 808 residents voted against it and 689 supported it. New Rochelle and East Ramapo school districts al…

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by Jon Craig
Armonk, NY
Schools
NYS PTA Calls On Cuomo To Help Westchester School District's Budget Gap NYS PTA Calls On Cuomo To Help Westchester School District's Budget Gap
NYS PTA Calls On Cuomo To Help Westchester School District's Budget Gap With hundreds of jobs and several programs on the line as the Yonkers School District faces a multi-million dollar budget gap, the New York State PTA is calling on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to “help fix this funding inequity,” in the form of $16.3 million. The PTA noted that the schools are facing a $21.3 million budget gap for the upcoming year, that could lead to the elimination of 251 educators and staff members from city schools. In response, they’ve circulated an online petition to be sent to Cuomo. Citing a rise in employee salaries and benefits, the rising cost of utilities, transpo…

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by Zak Failla
New Rochelle, NY
Schools
New Rochelle BOE Proposes New Schools Budget After First Fails New Rochelle BOE Proposes New Schools Budget After First Fails
New Rochelle BOE Proposes New Schools Budget After First Fails After being the only Westchester County school district to have its budget rejected earlier this month, the New Rochelle Board of Education has drafted a new budget that stays within the state-mandated tax cap. This week, the Board unanimously adopted a new $270,381,160 spending plan that “stays within the state tax cap, preserves programming and includes funds to add school counselors and several other positions as well as safety and security measures.” Earlier this month, voters rejected the district’s initial proposed budget with 3,116 votes against and 1,689 in favor of the proposed $27…

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by Zak Failla
Monsey, NY
Politics
'True Democrat' Announces Primary Challenge Against State Sen. Carlucci 'True Democrat' Announces Primary Challenge Against State Sen. Carlucci
'True Democrat' Announces Primary Challenge Against State Sen. Carlucci Julie Goldberg of Chestnut Ridge, a public school librarian and activist, announced her campaign to run for state Senate on Thursday, May 31. The 38th Senate district includes the towns of Clarkstown, Orangetown, Ossining and Ramapo.  Grassroots groups and supporters joined Goldberg and her husband to kick off her bid to serve as "a true Democrat representing the people of Rockland and Westchester," according to a press statement.  An advocate for public school education and progressive reform, Goldberg said she was motivated to run after incumbent Sen. David Carlucci allied hims…

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by Jon Craig
Yonkers, NY
Politics
Sayegh Kicks Off His Campaign For Assembly Race Sayegh Kicks Off His Campaign For Assembly Race
Sayegh Kicks Off His Campaign For Assembly Race Nader Sayegh, candidate for the 90th Assembly District, will be hosting his first public event on Thursday, May 24 at Castle Royale, located at 92 Waverly St. The campaign event begins at 6 p.m. Sayegh has deep community roots in Yonkers. He is focusing his campaign on increased education funding for Yonkers schools, job creation and healthcare. In the opening weeks of his campaign, Sayegh secured the endorsement of the Yonkers Democratic Committee and Teamsters Local 456. “I am proud of the momentum our campaign has built over the last two weeks,” said Sayegh. "I’m looking forward …

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by Jon Craig
White Plains, NY
Schools
Westchester Voters OK School Budgets, Except In One District Westchester Voters OK School Budgets, Except In One District
Westchester Voters OK School Budgets, Except In One District Every Westchester school district, except one, passed proposed school budgets on Tuesday: New Rochelle's $272.8 million budget, which would have raised spending by 5 percent next year, was defeated by a vote of 3,119 to 1,689.The results remain unofficial pending the counting of all affidavit ballots. The only other district to propose spending above the state-imposed tax cap -- Mamaroneck Union Free School District -- easily passed its proposed $138.9 million budget by a vote of 1,346 to 383. New Rochelle's District administration and Board of Education said they will begin working togethe…

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by Jon Craig
Eastchester, NY
Schools
Tuckahoe Voters Asked To Consider $10M School Bond Proposal Tuckahoe Voters Asked To Consider $10M School Bond Proposal
Tuckahoe Voters Asked To Consider $10M School Bond Proposal The Tuckahoe Board of Education has proposed a near $10 million bond that, if approved, would “address the district’s most basic needs for additional classrooms, safety and security upgrades, and high priority infrastructure repairs. The Board announced on Monday that on Tuesday, April 10, members of community will be asked to vote on a $9,987,000 capital bond project that includes the addition of a second story at William E. Cottle Elementary School, construction of a new security vestibule at Cottle and a turf field replacement and communication system replacement at the school. If passed…

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by Zak Failla
Fair Lawn-Glen Rock, NJ
Schools
Here's What $25M Bond Referendum Will Fund In Fair Lawn Schools Here's What $25M Bond Referendum Will Fund In Fair Lawn Schools
Here's What $25M Bond Referendum Will Fund In Fair Lawn Schools Voters approved the Fair Lawn School District Bond Referendum in a special election held on Tuesday, March 13 by a vote of 2,241 to 1,458.  The $25 million bond referendum will fund a plan to build new classrooms and expand other facilities to solve the space demands of the local population growth.   The district qualifies for $3.8 million in state aid, reducing the out-of-pocket expense for taxpayers to $21.2 million. The Board of Education worked closely with contractors and architects to carefully assess the bond referendum plan for the district, according to Superintendent Ernest Pales…

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by Cecilia Levine
Bronxville, NY
Schools
Bronxville Voters Approve $24.8M Schools Bond With No Tax Impact Bronxville Voters Approve $24.8M Schools Bond With No Tax Impact
Bronxville Voters Approve $24.8M Schools Bond With No Tax Impact Although voter turnout was low, the Bronxville community overwhelmingly approved a near $25 million schools bond referendum that will help officials address needs at the building and in the district. Voters approved the $24.8 million bond referendum with an unofficial tally of 511 “yes” votes against 97 “no” votes, the district announced on Tuesday night, stating that they will begin addressing facility needs, infrastructure improvements and program-related enhancements. There is expected to be no tax increase as a result of the bond, district officials stated, due to several million dollar…

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by Zak Failla
Scarsdale, NY
Schools
$64.8M School Bond Proposal Approved By Scarsdale Voters $64.8M School Bond Proposal Approved By Scarsdale Voters
$64.8M School Bond Proposal Approved By Scarsdale Voters After much discussion and debate, voters in Scarsdale ultimately decided to approve a near $65 million schools bond, most of which will be used to fund projects for the Greenacres School expansion. Scarsdale residents came out in force on Thursday to vote on the bond, which has been a topic of debate for months. Ultimately, approximately 65 percent of voters approved the bond, with a final tally of 1,253 “yes” votes against 667 “no” votes. The bulk of the bond will be put towards the expansion and renovation of Greenacres, which has been under discussion for more than a year. In total, appr…

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by Zak Failla
Port Chester, NY
Schools
$12 Million Bond Vote For Port Chester Middle School Repairs Ends At 9 p.m. $12 Million Bond Vote For Port Chester Middle School Repairs Ends At 9 p.m.
$12 Million Bond Vote For Port Chester Middle School Repairs Ends At 9 p.m. Residents of the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District are being asked to vote on their second major construction project in less than a year due to emergency repairs required at Port Chester Middle School.  The vote to approve $12.5 million in renovations is set for Tuesday, Feb. 6 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m in the Port Chester Middle School gymnasium. This project primarily addresses the recent emergency safety work and necessary reconstruction at Port Chester Middle School for a long-term, safe and cost-effective solution. Temporary repairs at Port Chester Middle School cost $1.6 millio…

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by Jon Craig