Decision Time: Your Last Minute Voter Guide

The numbers are finalized and months of campaigning will soon come to an end. Voters will now get the final say in the direction of the Harrison Central School District with today's budget vote and Board of Education election.

Much debate has surrounded this year's vote, as the district will cut significant programming for the first time, according to Harrison Superintendent Louis Wool. Just more than 20 employee positions will be slashed as well. But the budget has still left some hesitant to approve a 3.18 percent tax rate increase.

Also on today's ballot will be three separate board of education races. Voters will choose between three incumbents and three challengers seeking a seat on the board. Debate between the two sides has raged on for months, as incumbents have largely defended the direction of the district while challengers are seeking various levels of reform.

The Budget

• Overall Spending: $103.1 million
• Tax Levy: $91.3 million
• Tax Rate Increase: 3.18 percent
• Noteable Cuts: 20.4 total employee positions including 10 full-time teaching positions (an estimated three through layoffs) and 10 teacher's assistant positions (all through layoffs). Eight clubs at LMK Middle School (out of 39). Eight clubs at Harrison High School (out of 42).

For a deeper look at the proposed budget, .

The Harrison Board of Education cited cuts in state aid, dropping property assessments and increased employee retirement costs as this year's biggest obstacles.

If the budget is passed, it will be implemented on May 18. If it is to fail, the Board of Education will have the option of either creating a new budget or placing the same budget up for a re-vote. The second vote would take place on the third Tuesday of June, according to state law.

If the second vote does not pass, the school board will have to create a contingency budget before July 1. A contingency budget allows only for "the expenditures absolutely necessary to operate and maintain schools," according to New York State Department of Education web site.

For a more in-depth look at the New York State school budget laws click here.

Board of Education Race

Voters will choose three of six candidates hoping to fill a seat on the Harrison Board of Education. Each incumbent will run for another term and will face a single challenger in a head-to-head race.

The first race pits incumbent Paul Curtis against challenger Joseph Magnus. Curtis is seeking his second term on the Board of Education, Magnus is seeking his first. For a comparison between the two candidates, .

In the second race incumbent Philip Silano will seek his fourth term on the Board of Education against challenger Robert Piliero. for a comparison between the two.

The final race is between incumbent David Singer and challenger Matthew Joseph. Singer is seeking his fourth term, while Joseph hopes to serve his first. For a comparison between the two, .

The Harrison League of Woman Voters hosted a candidates forum at LMK Middle School last week where differences between incumbents and challengers became much more clear, as both sides addressed what they perceive as misinformation about their candidacy. For a look at what was said, .

Video of each candidate's closing remarks can be viewed .

Where to Vote:

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at each of Harrison's four elementary schools. Locations are as follows:

• Samual J. Preston Elementary School: 50 Taylor Avenue, West Harrison
• Parsons Elementary School: 200 Halstead Avenue, Harrison
• Purchase Elementary School: 2995 Purchase Street, Purchase
• Harrison Avenue Elementary School: 480 Harrison Avenue, Harrison

There is no registration for school elections. Voters are required to be a United States citizen, older than 18 and a resident of the district for at least the last 30 days.

Proof of residency includes a driver's license, voter card or utility bill.

Results of today's vote will be presented to the public this evening, Patch will have results posted as soon as they are available.