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GREENBURGH, N.Y. – Voters on Tuesday passed a $58.6 million budget in the Greenburgh Central School District 7 and reelected School Board President Terry Williams along with two newcomers, Eric Bitterman and Sonja Brown, according to unofficial results.
Williams, Bitterman and Brown beat out seven other hopefuls for the Board of Education seats, garnering 607, 464 and 457 votes respectively. Brown beat out incumbent Cora Carey by a single vote to take the final open seat on the board.
The third incumbent, Charles Bronz, finished 5th in voting with 437 votes.
"It hasn't hit me yet," Brown said after the vote. "It feels like a dream. I'm just so happy."
Meanwhile, the 2012-2013 spending plan passed with 734 votes in favor and 452 votes against. The approval comes one year after the budget was rejected twice by voters.
"The community overwhelmingly responded to our cause of supporting education for every student," Assistant Superintendent Ed Joseph said.
In the weeks leading up to the vote, administrators said repeatedly the 2012-2013 spending plan had been “cut to the bone” and urged voters to give their approval. Superintendent Ronald Ross said the district simply couldn’t achieve excellence on an austerity budget.
The 2012-2013 plan didn’t feature any cuts to staff or after-school programs, however, administrators said they were uncertain what the budget's effect on the property tax rate would be.
Regardless, many voters said Tuesday they thought the district had created a fair budget with necessary increases.
“I am hopeful it will pass,” Jennifer Tassler said as she left the polls. “Our children are important.”
Phyllis Fowles said she didn’t want to see any cuts to after school activities or programs.
“I would like more for our students,” she said.
Comments (5)
Congrats to Terry Williams, Eric Bitterman and Sonja Brown! You've beaten out 7 others in a terrific election. Hope you will help to unify GC7 schools, create and implement common and effective math and reading curriculum and advocate for our children and citizens by cutting down on wasteful spending and eliminate "FUZZY Math".
Good luck to GC7 BOE trustees Terry, Eric and Sonja. May the force be with you so you can bring positive change to our district.
Greenburghmomof2: You are quite judgmental. Instead of applauding the 3 new BOE trustees EQUALLY you show your true colors in your words. Shame on you for knocking on people who are trying to make a difference.
Sham me if you will, although it'd be better for you to respect the opinions of others as you expect them to respect yours. Everyone is entitled to their own concern. As we've seen in East Ramapo, the district suffers greatly and strange things happen when board members have their kids in private schools and other districts. Luckily, we now only have one member with this situation. I do hope Mr. Bitterman proves me wrong.
I don't know what you think I show in my words, but I AM very happy Terry won. Eric and Sonya will have to prove their dedication. Some have concern for Sonya due to her past on the Town Board, but i dont see you posting 'shame' toward them.
Anyway, It would have been nice to see one of the "moms" win (check my prior posts to the candidates for that reference) alongside Terry. Or one of the parents with very young children in the district. I think that would've truly made a diverse board.
So with her election win, I guess this means that Sonja's swan song warning to the Greenburgh Town Board that "she wasn't going away" can no longer be interpreted that she knows where the bodies are buried and is only waiting for a sale on shovels to be announced. As a member of the School Board, discretion, no doubt, demands that her lips remain sealed. Same as it ever was.
Hal Samis
Greenburgh voters did well in passing the budget! It looks like the community is ready to make the necessary financial sacrifices to educate our children!
Congratulations to Terry, Eric and Sonja!!
Terry you served us well as President, and I'm glad to see you return.
Eric proposes some real changes, which is good! I know he's planning to bring his kids to another school district, so my concern is that he'll become marginal over the next 3 years since his job and children will be elsewhere. I hope I'm wrong because he has some great ideas!
Sonja also proposes some great ideas and has the experience of working on the Town Board, so we know she'll show the commitment over the next 3 years.
Here's to change and growth and expectation of EXCELLENCE in our district!