THE BUDGET PROCESS ...
The development of the school budget begins in the fall with the formulation of goals and objectives by the Board of Education. These goals provide parameters for the instructional staff that determine classroom needs for the following year. The Superintendent consolidates their requests, making careful judgment about whether they support the goals of the district and are fiscally responsible. The Superintendent also seeks input from parents and members of the community.

By February, the Superintendent will present a draft budget to the Board of Education. At public study sessions, the Board of Education shapes a final spending plan which will ensure a high quality educational program for Tuckahoe students while recognizing the financial needs of the taxpayer. The final budget is submitted to the community for its approval in May.

Community residents are urged to attend budget study sessions and share their ideas and concerns with the Board of Education and the administration. Information about the proposed budget is distributed through mailings to the residents.

Board of Education elections take place at the same time as the budget vote. Candidates seeking election must file petitions 30 days prior to the vote.

For more information about the budget, School Board Elections, or voting, call Karen Barros at 914-337-6600, ext. 1262.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUDGET
The District strives to provide residents with budget information both in draft and final form:

All budget meetings will be televised on Cable TV Channel 77 (Cablevision) or 27 (Verizon).  Videotaped copies of the budget meetings will be made available to the public, upon request.  Copies of the draft and final budget may be obtained from the Superintendent’s Office. Information on the budget, budget meetings and the adopted budget will be mailed to all residents.

VOTER REGISTRATION
To vote on the budget and in the school board election, you must be:

• A United States citizen,
• A resident for 30 days or more,
• At least 18 years old,
• A registered voter with the County Board of Elections or the School
• District Board of Registrars.

You are a registered voter if:
You are on the Westchester County voters’ list and have voted at least once during the last four years or,

You have personally registered to vote with the Tuckahoe School District. If you are not registered, you may obtain registration forms from Karen Barros in the District Office or by calling 914-337-6600, ext. 1262. Dates to register in the School District will be announced in the spring.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS
Applications for Absentee Ballots for voting on the budget may be applied for at the Office of the District Clerk, 29 Elm Street, Tuckahoe, New York 10707 or you may download the application by clicking here.

Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. For information call Karen Barros at 914-337-6600, ext. 1262.

For more information about voting in New York State, please visit the New York State Board of Elections website at www.elections.state.ny.us.

TAX SAVINGS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND ALL HOMEOWNERS
All primary residence owners are eligible for the Basic STAR Program that provides savings on school tax. All new homeowners must apply.

Senior citizens 65 years and older may participate in the Enhanced STAR exemption if they have a total combined income of less than $63,750. Senior citizens are also eligible for 50% tax deduction if their income is not above $24,000. Those seniors whose combined annual income does not exceed $32,399.99 are eligible for a deduction based on a sliding scale. Application must be filed with the Town Assessor’s Office by June 1st. Please call 914-771-3345 for information.