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2016May P u b l i c S c h o o l S o f t h e t a r r y t o w n S

Special Budget Issue

Dear Community Members,

Each spring, the Board of Education presents an annual budget to the voting public. The Tarrytown Schools are tasked with preparing children to enter an ever changing global and competitive work force. The Board and administration recognized we should not rest on past successes; we need to work together to continue to build a better school system. We critically examined existing resources and needs as a school district. Resources were reallocated across the district to help meet needs and aspirations.

The District Goal to Advance Science and Technology for ALL students led to the reorganization of secondary mathematics sequences, from Middle School through senior year in the High School, to better prepare more students to reach the highest levels of mathematics. In addition, new courses and staff in the High School will provide more students with the opportunity to pursue innovative

studies in science, mathematics, art, and music. To provide needed support for our students, a school psychologist will be added to our elementary schools. A part time social worker in the middle school will be increased to full time. Adaptive physical education (BOCES funds) will be provided for students in our elementary and middle schools.

This budget also supports the introduction of Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES). Beginning in Kindergarten and 1st Grade in2016-2017,childrenwillreceive60to80minutesofinstructionperweek in Spanish. This program represents our commitment to build community through awareness and respect of culture and language, as well as strengthen communication skills for our children.

Prudent fiscal management enabled the Tarrytown Schools to grow reserves. An affirmative vote on Proposition #3 on the ballot is needed for the school district to move $4 million from our Tax Certiorari and the Employee Benefit Accrued Liability Reserve Funds to create and expend funds from a Capital Reserve. If Proposition #3 is approved, these funds will be dedicated to addressing security and safety upgrades, renovations (HVAC) to SHHS/SHMS art and music rooms, upgrades to our TV studio, as well as general maintenance projects. The use of reserves for capital expenditures is far more cost effective than long-term borrowing. Proposition #2 will enable us to replace several buses by using unexpended funds ($295,000) from our2015-2016budget,and48.4%ofthecostofbuspurchaseswillbe refunded, or aided, by New York State. Proposition #2 and #3 will incur no additional tax burden for the community.

Theschooltaxlevywillincreaseonly.825%.Ofgreaterinterestarethe actual tax rates. As you know, they are different in both villages.

A Letter from The Board President

tueSday May 17 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

where to VoteTarrytown residents vote at Washington Irving School

Sleepy Hollow residents vote at Morse School

2016–17 budget facts at a Glance

Total Proposed Budget.........................$73,153,80

Budget Increase ............................................ 0.8%

Tax Levy Increase* .................................... 0.825%

Tarrytown Tax Rate Increase** .................... .45%

Sleepy Hollow Tax Rate Increase** ........... 11.3%

* Taxy levy increase is in full compliance with the mandated property tax cap levy. The allowable cap is .825%.

** Tax rate estimates are based on changes in the equalization rates for the towns of Greenburgh and Mount Pleasant. Rates will change between now and August due to the impact of ongoing tax certiorari settlements on total property valuation in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow.

continued on page 5

Tarrytown Board Appoints Nyack Administrator to High School Principal PositionThe Board of Education of the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Tracy Smith as Principal of Sleepy Hollow High School, effective July 1. She will replace Carol Conklin-Spillane.

“As the new Principal of Sleepy Hollow High School, I am excited about partnering with teachers, parents and the community to ensure the success of all students,” said Dr. Smith. “I look forward to being a part of the Sleepy Hollow family.” continued on page 5

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Frequently Asked Questions about the Proposed Budget

Q: What is the budget increase for 2016-17?A: The 2016-17 proposed budget calls for a spending increaseof.80percentoverthe2015-16budget,oranincreaseof$581,274.

Q: Does the proposed budget remain at or below the state-mandated tax levy cap?A: Yes, the budget remains at the tax levy cap set for our District,whichis.825percent.TheDistricthasconsistentlymaintained a prudent financial profile and remained at or below the state-mandated tax levy cap for the past five years, since the cap was imposed in 2011.

Q: What accounts for the disparity between the proposed tax rate increase for Sleepy Hollow residents, and the proposed tax rate increase for Tarrytown residents?A: Because of a miscalculation by the Town of Mount Pleasant, Sleepy Hollow taxpayers will see an increase in their taxes of 11.3 percent for the 2016-17 school year. In developing its proposed budget for the 2016-17 school year, the school district notified Sleepy Hollow taxpayers about this development in January. It is important to note that this unusual jump in the rate follows a steep 12 percent reduction in Sleepy Hollow taxes in 2015-16 when the Town of Mount Pleasant miscalculated the taxable assessed value of property now known as Lighthouse Landing, located at the site of the former General Motors plant.In simplest terms, the error by Mount Pleasant resulted in Lighthouse Landing overpaying, or taking a greater share of, the Town’s tax obligation. In turn, all other taxpayers in Mount Pleasant underpaid, or paid a smaller share, of the tax obligation. The Public Schools of the Tarrytowns does not calculate final tax rates or set assessed values on properties within the District. Only the Town can do that.

Even with the projected tax rate increase for 2016-17, Sleepy Hollow residents will still pay a tax rate lower than the rate they paid in the 2014-15 school year. Sleepy Hollow residents over the past two years have seen an average decrease in their tax rates of .5 percent, and Tarrytown residents have seen an average tax rate increase of 1.25 percent.

Q: Why are there two additional propositions on the ballot May 17?

A: In addition to the budget itself, the ballot will include two separate propositions that require a public vote. One calls for the use of unexpended funds totaling $295,000 to purchase a school bus, two school passenger vans, and one dump truck to replace aging vehicles. This expenditure will have no impact on taxes and $116,160 of the funds will be reimbursed to the District by the state.

The other proposition, also with no impact on taxpayers, calls for the establishment of a capital reserve in the amount of $4 million, created with the transfer of funds from an existing tax certiorari reserve and an employee benefit accrued liability reserve. The new Capital Reserve, with an anticipate term of five years, would finance a number of infrastructure improvements in the District, including the completion of a grounds garage, replacement of exterior doors, public address system upgrades, heating/air conditioning upgrades, electrical work, and the installation ofsecuritysystemsandcameras.Inyearone,spend$1.8million. Another $50,000 has been earmarked to improve

the High School TV studio. That’s part of the capital bond proposition.

Q: How is staffing impacted by the proposed budget?A: The proposed budget calls for the reduction of 6.5 staff positions District-wide, including four teaching assistant positions, a grounds position, a health aide, and a part-time cleaner. In addition, w are reducing three school lunch monitors (hourly workers). But the budget calls for the addition of 14.4 new positions that, after lengthy consultations with building principals, were deemed critical to meet the needs of our students, ensure safety/security in our school buildings, and serve the

growing number of students in the secondary music program. The net result will be an increase in spending of $599,000.

Among the new positions are:

•First-grade teacher at the Morse School to meet projected enrollment

•Full-time school psychologist shared by Morse and the John Paulding School. Fifty percent of the cost of this position will be grant-funded

•A.8musicteacheratSleepyHollowHighSchoolandMiddle School, where the music program has grown and is currently understaffed

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•A .6 social worker at the Middle School•A .6 special education teacher at the High School•A licensed practical nurse to serve all schools•A District-wide School Resource Officer (The Village of

Sleepy Hollow will pay half of the salary and benefits for this position)

•An elementary adaptive physical education teacher, whose position will be paid for using BOCES funding

•A Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) teacher at John Paulding and W.L. Morse School

•An increase in the number of coaches necessary to reflect student participation in the Tarrytown sports program. Because of the dramatic growth in the number of student athletes, stipends for new coaches have been added in modified volleyball, modified soccer, modified spring track, boys lacrosse, girls swimming, winter track and junior varsity cheerleading.

•Contracted Security for all school buildings and fields• .6 math teacher at the High School

It is important to note that Tarrytown has saved more than $1 million in recent years by returning some special education students back into the District from private schools, made possible by providing services that meet their special needs.

Q: What new academic programs have been added in the proposed budget?A: In response to student and community interest, we have enhanced our curriculum and course offerings, particularly in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Among the new additions reflected in the proposed budget are some exciting new courses at the high school level, including AP Computer Science Principles, Music Production, and Computer Assisted Drafting for Architectural Design. In addition, we have realigned our sequence of math courses from middle school through high school with developmentally appropriate acceleration and increased access for students to take Honors level classes. This new sequence is designed to provide a strong mathematical foundation in Algebra for all students. At the elementary level, the proposed budget supports a FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools) program, which will begin in Kindergarten and eventually continue through fifth grade. The FLES program will complement our well-established Dual Language program by affording all elementary students the benefits of learning a second language.

Tarrytownalsoexpectstoreceive$853,540fromtheNewYork State Smart Schools Bond to finance technology infrastructure improvements, purchase additional Chromebooks for students, and install whiteboards in additional classrooms.

TWO PROPOSITIONS ON MAY 17 BALLOT

Proposition 2:

•Equipment purchased using unexpended funds from the 2015-16 budget at a total cost of $295,000 ($116,160 of which will be reimbursed with state aid)

•One 66-passenger school bus at $135,000 to replace an an agedvehicle.48.4%ofthecostwillbereimbursedbystateaid

•Two 20-passenger school vans at $52,500 each, or $105,000 toreplaceagedvehicles.48.4%ofthecostwillbereimbursedby state aid

•One two-yard dump truck at $55,000 to replace an aged vehicle

•Voter authorization is required

Total cost – $295,000 ($116,160 state aid reimbursement)

Proposition 3 – Capital Reserve FundProposition 3 calls for the establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund of $4 million, which will have no impact on taxpayers but requires voter approval. The Capital Reserve Fund will be created using $3 million from the District’s existing Tax Certiorari Reserve, and $1 million from the existing Employee Benefit Accrued Liability Reserve. The probable term of the Capital Reserve Fund will be five years. In the firstphaseduring2016-17,$1.8millionwillbeallocatedtoward the following improvements:

•Completion of the Tarrytown grounds garage•Replacement of exterior doors•Upgrading of school public announcement systems•Air conditioning in the art and music suite at Sleepy

Hollow High School and Middle School•Upgrades to the SHHS TV Production studio•Security systems and cameras District-wide•Repairs to blacktops at schools•Electrical upgrades•Heating/air conditioning upgrades

Tarrytown voters are being asked to approve two additional propositions on the May 17th ballot

Frequently Asked Questions continued from page 2

Vote May 17

Emily Thayer, a senior at Sleepy Hollow High School, is headed to the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix this spring, after placing first for her scientific research project at the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair held recently at Sleepy Hollow High School.

Emily, a senior heading to the University of Alabama to study chemical engineering, was recognized for her project,

Limiting Nerve Sprouting using Anti-Growth Factor Receptor Antibodies to Reduce Pain in Bone Cancer and Osteoarthritis. The INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair will be held in May, and Emily will be accompanied by SHHS science research teacher Janet Longo-Abinanti.

She was among 500 students from throughout Westchester who competed at Westchester Science and Engineering Fair on March 12. WESEF is a display of multi-year projects by some of the best high school science research students in Westchester and Putnam counties and is the regional version

of the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair -- the larger and more global of the two Intel national events. Students deliver formal presentations of their scientific accomplishments in a poster forum to professional researchers in the local area, and their work must be limited to data collected over the previous 12 months. Expenses are funded by sponsors including Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Acorda Therapeutics and Entergy. Student work is guided by high school research teachers from public, private, and parochial schools in the region. Sleepy Hollow’s science research co-teachers are Ms. Longo-Abinanti and Michele Zielinski.

Students present their research to scientists, business leaders, and the general public. Students prepare a poster detailing their projects which, in most cases, have involved complex research conducted under the guidance

of a professional researcher in their field of interest.

In addition to Emily, the following Sleepy Hollow High School students took home prizes from WESEF:

Katie Miles placed 2nd for her project on Creating and in vitro model of Marfan Syndrome: The Effects of FBN1 Mutations on the Extracellular Matrix of Cardiomyocytes

Dominique Marchini placed 2nd for her project on Recycling Hair: Flocculation as an Alternate Method of Assembling Hair Fibers for Oil Recovery

Griffin Gebler placed 4th for his project on The Reduction of Agrochemicals in the Environment Using High Viscosity Polymers and Surfactants.

Catarina Ribeiro won the Stockholm Water Prize.

Caroline Murphy won the Mianus River Gorge Ecology Award and the Environmental Perseverance Award.

Sofia Guarnieri won the Office of Naval Research Award.

Sophia Norwood won the Ricoh Sustainable Energy Award and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize.

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Washington Irving Intermediate School Holds Memoir Night

Washington Irving Intermediate School held its annual Memoir Night on March 30, a chance for third- through fifth-grade Challenge program students to present history/memoir projects to visitors. The students have been spending months doing research on specific figures in history and historical periods. Many dressed in costume to explain their work. Fifth-grade students will be submitting their projects, which focus on New York history, to the New York State Archives Student Research Award program on July 1. Those projects range from an examination of the Beatles’ impact on America after they landed at JFK Airport, the story of Murder Inc., a notorious Brooklyn-based gang, and a look at the growth of the Women’s Rights Movement in New York. Last year, WI students placed second and third in the statewide competition.

Sleepy Hollow High School Hosts Westchester Science and Engineering Fair — SHHS Student an Intel ISEF Finalist

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This year, the proposed school tax rate will be a .45% increase in Tarrytown, and due to an error in tax collection in 2015 -2016, an 11.3 % increase in Sleepy Hollow. Last year the Town of Mount Pleasant reduced taxes in error for Sleepy Hollow residents by 12.3%. Over the last two years the Sleepy Hollow tax rate is down 1%. Of note as well, the 2016-2017 Property Tax Rebate will be $130 for tax payers receiving the STAR exemption and whose family income is $275,000 or less.

You will also be asked to vote to fill two vacancies on the Board of Education. Jennifer Liddy Green, who has been on the Board since 2013, is running for reelection unopposed and Diane McCarthy is running unopposed for the seat vacated by Carol Banino. We thank Carol for her thoughtful service to the Board these past three years.

In closing, the Board recognizes the stewardship of taxpayer funds is a most important responsibility. The District makes efforts to bring in grants and to petition New York State for a fair share of State Aid and supplementary funds (support for technology infrastructure and classroom resources in 2016-2017 – no cost to taxpayers!). The Tarrytown Schools have worked arduously to maintain facilities as a community asset.

We are proud of our schools and students. We deeply appreciate your support; it makes a difference! Please vote on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.

Sincerely, Mimi Godwin, President, Board of Education

A Letter from The Board President continued from page 1

Tarrytown Board Appoints Nyack Administrator to High School Principal Position continued from page 1

Board President Mimi Godwin said that the Board of Education “is delighted to welcome Dr. Smith to our staff. We are sure she will make significant contributions to Sleepy Hollow High School and the District as a whole.”

Dr. Smith has served as Assistant Principal at Nyack High School since 2011. As Assistant Principal, she coordinated the school’s Advanced Placement program, oversaw Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports programming, and created the school’s mentoring program for at-risk students.

Before serving in those positions, Dr. Smith was an English teacher at Nyack High School for 13 years, teaching Regents-level, honors, collaborative and senior elective English courses. She also served as advisor to the yearbook club, the National Honor Society and the African American Club. She mentored students in the WISE program, the Freshman Academy and Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers.

Dr. Smith also taught English at Nyack Middle School for one year and was a third-grade teacher at PS 9 in New York City for a year. She has published a number of papers and has presented and guest lectured at the College Board conference and at St. John Fisher College in Rochester.

She holds an Ed.D. in Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher College, an Advanced Certificate as a School Building Leader from Long Island University, a Master’s Degree in English Education and a Master’s Degree in English Literature, both from Columbia Teachers College, and a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Illinois, Chicago.

The Sleepy Hollow Players production was a huge success at the High School on April 14-16. Directed by Julie Core-Colangelo, with music direction by Brittney Trenczer, a large cast of students brought Dr. Seuss’s stories to life in the family-friendly musical.

Among the cast members were Henry Titcomb as the Cat in the Hat, Francis Pace-Nunez as Horton the Elephant, Zoe Kaplan as Gertrude McFuzz, Georgia Vachon as Mayzie LaBird, Luca Brown as Jojo, and Peter Moriarty as the Mayor.

Characters from the musical also paid a visit to Tarrytown’s elementary schools in advance of the upcoming production, performing for younger students at Washington Irving, John Paulding and Morse.

The production was made possible by funding from the Sleepy Hollow Performing Arts Boosters, the Foundation for the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns, and the Bess Spiva Timmons Foundation.

The Foundation for the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns held its annual Foundation Benefit on Saturday night, April 9, and it was a huge success. Benefit attendees danced and dined and won auction items. The Benefit raised much-needed funds for important student programs, and honored the contributions of Foundation committees for the Middle School Recess Redesign, Peabody Preserve Outdoor Classroom, WI Fitness Playground, and the Fields. A plaque of appreciation was also presented to Sleepy Hollow High School Principal Carol Conklin-Spillane, who will be leaving the High School at the end of the school year. The Foundation is grateful to its volunteers, donors, attendees and bidders. Photos by Joe Golden.

Photos by Joe Golden

Foundation Holds Successful BenefitPacked Audiences Enjoy the Sleepy Hollow High School Production of ‘Seussical’

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Non-ProfitUS Postage

PAIDPermit #91005

White Plains, NY 10605

CARRIER PRESORTPOSTAL CUSTOMERTarrytown/Sleepy Hollow, NY

10591

UFsd of the Tarrytowns200 North BroadwaySleepy Hollow, NY 10591www.tufsd.orgSchool News-Cable Channel 77

Board of educationMimi Godwin, PresidentKatharine M. Swibold, Vice PresidentCarol Banino, TrusteeJames Husselbee, TrusteeJennifer Liddy Green, TrusteeB. Joseph Lillis, TrusteeJohn A. Paine, Trustee

interim superintendent of schoolsDr. Daniel McCann(914) 631-9404

Evelyn McCormack, Editor Maria Ilardi, Art Director

The Public Schools of the Tarrytowns do not discriminate on the basis of sex, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, citizenship, age or disability or any other protected classification in its employment, admissions practices, vocational opportunities or access to and treatment in programs or activities, in accordance with Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Inquiries concerning application of these regulations may be made to the Assistant Superintendent of the UFSD of the Tarrytowns, 200 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. 10591.

Need More Information?For more detailed information about the proposed 2016-17 budget, you can visit the Warner Public Library, where copies are available. In addition, you can find a PDF copy of the proposed budget on the School District website at www.tufsd.org.

The New York State property tax rebate has changed for the 2016-17 through 2019-20 school years.

•Therewillbeataxrebatefortaxpayersreceivingand qualifying for the STAR exemption.

• In2016-17,qualifiedtaxpayerswithinthemetropolitan area, including Westchester, making $275,000 or less, will receive a $130 credit.

• Intheschoolyears2017-18,2018-19and2019-20,the rebate received by taxpayers will equal the STAR savings multiplied by a percentage tied to income. Taxpayers’ adjusted gross income from the previous two years will be used to determine eligibility. Income will be capped at $275,000.

• RebatechecksareprojectedbyNewYorkStatetoarrive by Oct. 31.

• Inorderforitsresidentstobeeligible,aschooldistrict must be compliant with the state’s tax levy cap.

• Aresident’srebatecannotbegreaterthanhisorher tax bill.

Understanding the New Property Tax Rebate