Mark your calendar… The school budget vote is Tuesday, May 21. Polls open 7am-9pm @ Rye Middle School Gym at 3 Parsons Street.
From the Friends of Rye City School District:
$76,758M budget maintains program at all schools & covers debt service for the new science addition:
- Elementary Schools: offers new K-5 science program & preserves class sizes
- Middle School:maintains team approach & preserves successful academic programs
- High School:preserves successful academic programs & course selection
Tax cap compliant budget: (estimated tax rate increase is 4.59%) requires a majority (50% +1 of voters) to pass.
Estimated cost is $650.97/year for the average Rye homeowner (assessed home value of $26,800; or about $1.2M)
2.3M cuts spread among the 5 schools & administration with minimized impact on programming
2.3M projected draw from reserves to lessen tax impact
Contingency budget is 0% if budget fails to pass twice!
Know the facts about poor voter turnout…
Rye has over 10,000 registered voters:
- over 70% did not vote at all in March 2012
- over 80% did not vote at all in May 2012
33% of Rye's registered voters have children in the public schools:
- nearly 40% of our parents did not vote at all in March 2012
- over 50% of our parents did not vote in May 2012
Nearly 75% of voters age 30-39 (likely preschool parents) did not vote at all in March 2012
Almost 800 votes is the average "NO" vote turnout from 22 votes taken 1997-2012!
Voting is quick & easy…
Voting in person will continue to be more efficient: more parking, space, machines, workers, etc.
Voting by absentee ballot is easy:
1) print & complete the absentee ballot application by clicking here;
2) deliver application by 5/14/13 to receive ballot by mail or 5/20/13 if picking up ballot up in person; &
3) submit the ballot by 5pm on 5/21/13
