K-L Voters Pass Budget, Schiff, Tobin Win Seats on Board

Katonah Lewisboro voters today approved the school district's and elected and to the school board.

Unofficial results were announced just after 9:30 p.m. at , where school board president Mark Lipton thanked voters for supporting the budget.

"Tonight you voted to pass the 2012-13 budget as adopted by the board of education," he said. "By doing so, you tell us that this budget identifies your goals for your schools and gives the board the means to achieve those goals."

Lipton said the board would work together with the K-L administration to ensure that the children in the district received the education for which voters were paying. 

He also thanked voters for their support of the ballot proposition authorizing the school district to spend $5.9 million from its general fund balance toward building improvements and repairs.

"By making these much-needed improvements we hope to extend the life of our buildings as well as reduce overall expenses by making our buildings more efficient," he said.

The funds will pay for repairs to aging boilers and roofs and will address approximately 20 percent of a

Schiff, who received an overwhelming 39 percent of the vote, said she was so grateful for the friends and community members who have supported her in the weeks leading up to the election.

"Without them I could not have run, and would not have won," she said.

On specific areas of board work she'd like to be involved, Schiff said her background might be best suited for serving on the audit committee or policy—she's already begun studying the policy manual—but it was too early to say definitively.

"I think there's a lot to learn—not only about policies but I'm looking forward to learning about the issues facing the district that I've presumably only just begun to learn about," she said. "And I'm looking forward to representing the community—I see that as the essential work of the board and I'm excited about the opportunity."

Tobin said she, too, had a big learning curve but looked forward to getting to work. "I feel that by the community coming out and voting strongly for me was a positive reinforcement for what my campaign was all about, which was strong academics. I plan on looking at everything through the lens of 'does this make our schools stronger and are we challenging our students." 

Both and congratulated their opponents and said they would look for ways to stay involved in district issues.

"The process is just beginning for me," said Yanish. "My desire to do this wasn't contingent on winning—it was about serving a community I love any way I can. I'm definitely happy I ran and I was honored to be a part of the process."

The spending plan totals $112,996,167 and represents a 1.78 increase over last year's budget.

The tax levy is to be raised by 2.09 percent, with rates estimated to increase in Bedford and Lewisboro, by 6.64 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively. In North Salem and Pound Ridge, tax rate will drop by 1.2 percent and 1.95 percent, respectively.

Approximately 17 percent of eligible voters participated in the election, according to Kimberly Monzon, district clerk. A total of 2,243 votes were cast for the budget and there are 13,511 total registered voters in the district.

The May 15, 2012 Vote by the Numbers

Budget vote and and capital projects proposition

School board election

By election district