THE AYES HAVE IT District residents cast their ballots for the proposed Rockland Central School budget for 2025-26. It passed with six out of every ten voters in favor. Provided photo
Rockland voters OK new district’s budget
Board to proceed now with planning
By Manor Ink Staff
Town of Rockland, NY – Voters from the Rockland Central School District approved the 2025-26 school budget of $32 million with 62 percent in favor and 38 percent opposed. A total of 545 votes were cast on Tuesday, May 20, and voters were able to go to the polls where they voted previously – either Livingston Manor or Roscoe school. The budget adds just 2.89 percent over the combined schools’ budgets from the prior year.
The resulting School Tax Levy in support of the budget is $14,955,556, which represents an overall reduction of 5.34 percent over last year. The balance of revenues needed will come primarily from state aid. “We thank the voters for their support of this plan that will provide our students with expanded educational opportunities while providing fiscal responsibility,” Supt. John Evans said.
Voters also approved, 360-181, a proposal to establish a $30 million buildings-and-facilities capital reserve fund to be spread over 15 years. The fund will be used to help defray all or part of the cost of future improvements, additions, construction or reconstruction of school buildings.
“We thank the voters for their support of this plan ...”
Voters elected the new seven-member school board on Feb. 20, and since then the board and administration have worked to engage students, staff, parents and community members in determining priorities for the transition to a fully merged school system.
An Advisory Committee has begun its work on priorities with community members as well as staff, parents and students. Its constituents are faculty members Rene Carlson and Fiona Streimer from Livingston Manor and Cindy Hyzer and Katie Ahart from Roscoe; staff members Rosa Finkle and Rob Gould from Manor and Abby DeFreitas and Nicole Rasnick from Roscoe; parent representatives Ashley Hoag-Irwin and Tegan Edwards from Manor and Christina Antizzo and Kendra Harris Constant from Roscoe; community representatives Diana Fredenburg and Dan Smith from Manor and Ed Park and Elwin Wood from Roscoe; and student representatives Clara LeRoy from Manor and Brooke Coman from Roscoe. Also on the committee will be members of the district administration: Adam Larson, Julie Buck, Lauren Marrero, Christopher Hubert, Robin Francisco, Rebecca Ackerly and John Evans.
A comprehensive board-led strategic planning process is underway with the guidance of an experienced educational consulting firm. The school invites community participation on various proposals via a Thought/Exchange survey instrument, accessible at lmcs.k12.ny.us (link at top of the page) and invites public participation on various strategic planning workgroups. Board meetings are open to the public and live-streamed.
The next school board meeting takes place Tuesday, June 3, at 6:30 p.m., in the Livingston Manor old gym.