Recap: School Budget Passes - 56 Percent Vote Yes

The voters have spoken and 56 percent of them said on Tuesday that they are in support of the 2010 - 2011 budget. Harrison also chose Jason Schechter as the newest member of the school board.

About 2,700 voters braved rainy conditions to vote. The approval means a 3.3 percent tax hike, but will keep most school programs away from cuts. Had the budget failed, the school board would have either needed to prepare another budget by next month or adopt a contingency budget.

"I view this as their support for us continuing to do what we think is very important work and we certainly appreciate it," said Harrison School Superintendent Louis Wool. "I don't think it was an easy choice for people and I think they thought really hard to make it."

The unofficial final tally on the budget was 1,586 voting in favor to 1,214 voting against.

For school administrators the budget approval marks the end of months of work. Obstacles included cuts in state funding as well as a decline in property tax revenue. The school board has maintained throughout the process that it has done everything it can with the newly passed budget. 

"It's been a long and challenging process," said Board of Education President Joan Tiburzi. "Our true north is always what is best for the children of this community and I feel like the community came out today and said that they agree - kids come first."

Although the approval will keep administrators from having to go back and cut more for a second vote, it also means another tax increase during a pressing economic time both nationally and locally. The Harrison town board already increased taxes by 12.9 percent for this year and another increase appears likely when a new budget is put into place this fall. The school increase will be added to that.

But administrators say that they have been mindful of the delicate balancing act between pleasing the taxpayer and educating students, and that the vote in favor shows that people have confidence in the board.

"They saw the effort that was made to give them a responsible budget, yet maintain a quality level of educational programs," said Bob Salierno, Harrison assistant superintendent for business.

In the other vote of the day, Schechter defeated Niomi Oppmann for a seat on next year's school board. That voting margin was a bit wider: Schechter collected 71 percent of the votes, winning the election 1,733 to 693.

Schechter, who appeared to be the safe bet for voters during the campaigning process, brings with him years of experience with the school system. The father of three Harrison students, Schechter has been an active participant in the school PTA as well as a Harrison recreation soccer coach for six years.

"I'm happy," said Schechter. "The work of the past couple of weeks was overwhelming to say the least, but again, it was all worth it in the end and that's what counts."

Oppmann, who ran largely on a ticket of transparency within the district and outside-the-box fundraising ideas, was unable to get the votes for what many would have viewed as an upset victory.

Incumbent Abby Mendelsohn predictably won her unopposed race for the other open seat on the board.

All votes will be counted again Wednesday afternoon before becoming official. But a significant change in the final numbers is extremely unlikely, said Deputy District Clerk Gene George. The vote will become official at Wednesday night's Harrison Board of Education meeting.

Although the approval is good news for school administrators, there is still work to be done. Several of the same issues that made this budget so difficult, including decreased property tax revenues, drops in state aid and pre-negotiated increases in teacher salaries and pensions will likely all be back again this time next year.

"This is not the end, I think next year will be as tough if not more difficult," said Salierno. "We have to immediately start looking toward the future."