Elwood School Budget Passes with 72 Percent

residents passed the $54.6 million school budget with 72 percent of the vote on Tuesday, 1267-499. The budget carries a 2.12 percent tax levy and represents a .83 percent increase over the current year.

Elwood Board of Education President Joe Fusaro said he expected a positive response from voters. "We stayed within the cap and we didn't cut any programs," Fusaro said. "Music wasn't cut. Athletics wasn't cut. Arts wasn't cut. So I think that we made the community happy."

Fusaro and BOE Vice President Dan Ciccone both ran unopposed and will each begin their fourth three-year terms with the board. Fusaro received 1,109 votes, Ciccone received 1,074 votes. Twenty four absentee ballots were cast.

Fusaro and Ciccone spoke to Patch about challenges they foresee in their next terms.

"I think there's a lot that needs to be worked on," Fusaro said. "I think that the Triborough amendment is huge for districts and municipalities in general to have to contend with. I'd also like to see some changes with last in, first out."

Ciccone said he is going to focus on balancing educational progress with financial efficiency.

"My goal over the next three years is to continue to re-structure our educational program in a way that will enhance learning and opportunities for children K-12, while also creating financial efficiencies that help the district hold the line on property taxes and adhere to the tax cap," he said.

"In order to do this it is likely that significant negotiation will take place between the district and our key collective bargaining units that deliver and manage classroom instruction, i.e., the teachers union, the teacher assistants, and our building administrators. These will likely be arduous negotiations, but we will stay the course. Our kids are worth all the time and effort it takes."