The Board of Education unanimously adopted a school budget for 2008-09 on April 10 that includes many new initiatives. The $94,156,392 budget represents a 4.60% increase over the current year. The tax levy is projected to increase 4.87% . The estimated average property tax increase is 5.66%.

In a letter to the community, Dr. Richman describes how the cost of new instructional initiatives is almost entirely offset by cost savings.

Voters will also elect two trustees to the Board of Education. The candidates (in the order they will appear on the ballot) are incumbents Meryl Waxman Ben-Levy and Clifford Saffron.

Voting will take place on Tuesday, May 20 from 7am to 9pm in the Roslyn High School gymnasium. Also on the ballot will be a special proposition authorizing expenditure of Capital Reserve Funds and the Bryant Library's 2008-09 budget. Residents must be registered to vote prior to the election. For voter information, call 625-6599. Read more

[Based on updated information from the Dept. of Assessment received May 2, the estimated average tax increase is lower than the one in the budget newsletter mailed to residents. Click to see a revised newsletter or the tax calculator which both have the updated tax estimates.]

The state legislature has approved a budget which restores most of the school aid cuts originally proposed in the executive budget. About $250,000 of the more than $350,000 originally cut from Roslyn's aid by then-Gov. Spitzer has been restored. Additional state aid results in a lower tax levy.

Many Roslyn residents joined the lobbying effort with letters and emails to state officials. Senator Johnson and Assembly members Lavine and Schimmel all actively supported this effort to preserve state aid levels for our schools.