School Budgets Approved Across Putnam

By Holly Crocco

School budgets passed all six districts in Putnam County on May 19, with a mix of incumbents and newcomers being elected to the boards of trustees.

Carmel Central School District’s $152.7 million budget passed by a vote of 1,427 to 862.

Elected to the school board were incumbent Jordi Douglas and Daniel Minieri, with 1,039 and 1,029 votes, respectively. Jacob Yount received 847 votes, Elizabeth Alvarez received 648 votes, and incumbent James Wise received 579 votes.

Following the vote, Superintendent of Schools Michael Plotkin expressed gratitude, on behalf of the administration and the school board, for the community’s support of a budget that includes a one-tenth of 1 percent decrease in the tax levy.

“Your participation in this milestone reflects both your commitment to our schools and your trust in our efforts to balance fiscal responsibility with the needs of our students,” he said. “With this support comes an important responsibility. We remain committed to the hard work of educating and caring for every student while serving as careful stewards of the community’s resources. We will continue to make thoughtful decisions that prioritize student needs, uphold strong educational programs, and maintain transparency and accountability.”

Minieri said the voters chose two different candidates with two different perspectives on the current state of the district.

“The results show that our community continues to value the work Jordi Douglas has done over the past three years, while also expressing a desire for a new approach from a candidate who is willing to draw firm lines in the sand and ask tough questions to help ensure a strong future for both our children and our taxpayers,” he said. “I have heard you, and beginning on day one I will get to work on the priorities we have discussed over the past month.”

At the Mahopac Central School District, the $148.3 million budget passed by a vote of 1,831 to 875. Also approved was a proposition to purchase buses, a proposition to establish a capital reserve fund, and propositions to spend $12.4 million and $8 million on facility upgrades.

Rejected was a proposition to spend $10.5 million on athletic facility improvements.

Elected to the school board were Joseph Catalli with 1,771 votes, Lindsay DiCerbo with 1,373 votes, and Adam Savino with 1,318 votes. Alana Sweeny received 923 votes, Jaime Dickson received 886 votes, incumbent Michael Mongon received 741 votes, and Evan Fu received 197 votes.

At the Brewster Central School District, the $128.4 million budget passed by a vote of 669 to 491. Elected to the school board were incumbents Kerry Cunningham with 912 votes and Melissa Finateri with 878 votes, and Dehisy Jimenez-Vazquez with 839 votes.

At the Putnam Valley Central School District, the $65.2 million budget passed by a vote of 985 to 876, with the Putnam Valley Library’s $514,000 budget also passing, 1,018 to 844.

Jay Lee defeated incumbent Crystal Hernandez for a school board seat, with a tally of 900 to 836 votes.

“I am humbled to have been elected as a trustee for the PVCSD school board,” Lee wrote on social media after election. “I am stunned and touched. Thank you for that trust – I do not take this responsibility lightly. I’m mindful that this was a close race, and am more than open to hearing from all members of the community in the coming days (and years) on your priorities and perspectives.”

At Haldane Central School District, the $31.8 million budget passed by a vote of 591 to 215, and the Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library’s $101,000 budget also passed, with a vote of 654 to 151. Also approved were propositions to purchase a school bus, replace the tennis courts, and create a transportation reserve.

Adam Burgoon was elected to the school board, defeating Tracy Bunye.

Over at the Garrison Union Free School District, the $15.5 million budget passed by a vote of 221 to 56. Also approved were propositions to extend two- to five-year contracts with the Haldane and Highland Falls-Ft. Montgomery central school districts to educate Garrison students in grades nine through 12, with transportation.

Elected to the school board were incumbent Dan Jasnow and Ted A’Zary with 218 and 201 votes, respectively. Mac Lake received 79 votes.

Superintendent Greg Stowell expressed his appreciation for the community’s support of the district by approving the budget.

“We are incredibly grateful for the strong turnout and the overwhelming support for our district’s direction,” he said. “This outcome reflects a shared commitment to providing our students with meaningful opportunities, innovative academic programs, and access to high-quality high school experiences, while also maintaining careful stewardship of community resources. We recognize that this level of support is rooted in the strength of our community and the trust you place in our schools.”