School Budget Passes: 1520 to 1444

by Judy Silberstein

(May 18, 2004; updated May 19) When Board President Bob Martin walked into the room full of PTA presidents, school board members, and other school supporters at around 9:30 this evening, the look of relief on his face telegraphed the results on his notepad. The votes were 1509 “yes" to 1440 “no” – a difference of 69 votes. Though there are a few more affidavit votes to be counted, there are not enough to influence the outcome of the vote. The final tally ended up as 1520 to 1444. The $89.5 million budget passed, despite efforts of those opposed to the inclusion of $500,000 towards a project that will reconfigure the Kemper Memorial to make room for a varsity-sized sports field.

Official Vote: Updated on May 19

Mr. Martin congratulated Cecilia Absher on her re-election and Janet Buchbinder on her election to the school board; the two ran unopposed, as did all candidates for the Selection Committee. (See: Selection Committee Candidates) He then acknowledged the extra work done by the budget supporters this year, and said “We think this is the very best decision for the students.”

Voter Turnout for Selection Committee Election

Voter turnout was considerably larger for the budget this year than last (2949 vs 2084) and the result was much closer. Last year’s budget passed by close to a 2 to 1 margin (1371 to 713). In 2002, turnout was even smaller (only 1701), but the margin was also 2 to 1 in favor of the budget. Voting for Selection Committee membership was down: a total of 323 this year compared with 419 last year.

Superintendent Sherry King emphasized the positive. “Many, many more people came out to vote yes,” she noted. However, she stressed that “the board will be reaching out to those who have another view. Clearly there are other sentiments in the community."

One of those who clearly had other sentiments was Richard Cantor, a member of the Kemper family who has been strenuously opposed to the school board’s plans for moving the memorial and altering the park. “That’s pretty terrific that the vote is so close,” he observed when apprised of the vote result. “Usually it’s a slam dunk,” he said and stated that with the vote so close he would like for there to be a recount.

He added, “It doesn’t change anything; we’re still going to do everything to protect the park.”

Stephen Kling, a Larchmont resident who had written a letter in support of the board plan, voiced his view. “It’s good that a minor issue didn’t stop the school budget from passing,” he said.

His son, Sam, one of the Mamaroneck High School students who had been working with the effort to defeat the budget, had a different view. “I’m happy that the budget passed, so the schools will get funded, but I’m not happy that they’re going to move the Kemper Memorial."

“I’m disappointed that the budget passed. I’m heartened that it’s so close,” said Fred Baron, who has been serving as spokesperson for the group opposing the inclusion of the Kemper project in the budget. He expressed hope that the school board would reconsider its plans in light of the close vote and the need to include more funds for the project in next year’s budget. “Clearly this shows how divided the community is over the Kemper issue,” he emphasized.

Whether they were relieved or disappointed with the budget vote, all parties recognized the issue of the Kemper Memorial will take some time to resolve.