Rockland school district's $331M budget fails to pass by nearly 400 votes
The results tallied show 1,917 people voted no and 1,519 people voted in favor - a difference of less than 400 votes.
More Stories
The East Ramapo Central School District’s proposed 2024-2025 $331 million budget failed to pass on Tuesday.
The proposal had a 1.99% tax increase.
The results tallied show 1,917 people voted no and 1,519 people voted in favor - a difference of less than 400 votes.
After the results were announced at a school board meeting on Tuesday night, a Shimon Rose, a member of the body said, “Obviously, not the result we were hoping for.”
Mery Mora, a mom whose daughter goes to a public school in the district told News 12 on Wednesday the results were “devastating.”
Mora spoke with other parents who want the state to step in.
“We feel really horrible,” said Mora. “Because this is not only (about) a budget that pass or not. This is the future of our kids."
"It's going to likely require action that has never been contemplated in New York's history before because we've never had a situation like this before,” said state Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski.
The state lawmaker tells News 12 he’s working on legislation that would get the state to act in some capacity.
“The operating deficit is from the fact that over the past decade, virtually every single budget has failed,” said state Assemblyman Zebrowski. “You can't run a school district where the local contribution stays at zero."
As News 12 previously reported, a state-appointed monitor warned of a major financial problems if the budget was not addressed.
School district’s Superintendent Dr. Clarence Ellis says, “while we are disappointed by the election results, we appreciate our community members who considered the district’s budget proposal and came out to the polls to cast their vote.”
The administration and school board will now discuss what happens next and tell the community soon.
A spokesperson for the state comptroller’s office told News 12 in a statement, “as both the work of the fiscal monitors and our audit work has shown, the district is facing significant challenges that are concerning. We will continue to monitor the situation.”
