The Pelham school district seems to have forgotten a couple of words in its remember-to-vote email sent on Monday. The section on the proposed capital reserve fails to mention it would be funded by budget surpluses.

The entire three-sentence paragraph on the reserve said, “In addition to the 2022-23 proposed budget, voters will be asked to authorize the creation of a capital reserve for the purpose of improvements, repairs, reconstruction and renovation of school district buildings, facilities, property and athletic fields. If approved, the reserve could be funded up to $10 million over a 10-year period. Additional information about this proposal is available on the district website.”

The $10 million would come from budget surpluses the school board would move into the reserve. Specific projects funded by the reserve would need to be approved by voters.

Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ and Board of Education President Jessica DeDomenico have yet to reply to requests for comment.

Meanwhile, the email detailed in bullet-point lists 13 different programming enhancements and staffing additions funded in the proposed $84.2 million district budget, which is a separate item on the ballot.

The full email sent out by the district follows:

Dear Pelham Community,

Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 17, polls will be open from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. in the Pelham Middle School gym for voters to cast ballots on the proposed 2022-23 school budget, the proposal to establish a capital reserve and elect three candidates to serve three-year terms on the Board of Education.

Parking restrictions will be waived on Corlies Avenue for the day of the vote.

Please see the important information below regarding Absentee Ballots, the proposals on the ballot and the annual Kids Vote

Absentee Ballots

Today is the last day that voters can submit an application for an Absentee Ballot. Applications must be delivered personally to the District Clerk at The Sanborn Map Building, 629 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, NY 10803 by 4pm today, Monday, May 16, 2022, in order to receive an absentee ballot. All absentee ballots must be received by 5pm on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 in order to be included in the tallies.

Applications for absentee ballots to vote in the 2022-23 school budget vote, proposal to establish a capital reserve and BOE member election are available on the District website.

Completed absentee ballots can either be dropped off at the Office of the District Clerk at 629 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, NY 10803 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 2022 or by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 in the secure lockbox located in the lobby of the Pelham Middle School at 28 Franklin Place, Pelham, NY 10803.

2022-23 Proposed Budget

The proposed 2022-23 school budget totals $84,240,000 and includes a tax-cap compliant levy increase of 1.95%. The budget maintains all of the District’s current programming, including keeping class sizes at or below Board of Education guidelines. This budget includes a number of proposals intended to support and challenge our students academically, meet their mental health needs and create a sustainable path for our programs into the future. Examples include:

Academics

• Adding 1.5 elementary intervention teachers to help students in Math and ELA, bringing the total number of intervention teachers to 8 across the four elementaries; plus one more contingent position if needed
• Creating a middle school Math intervention teacher to provide support for students
• Expanding Integrated Co-Teach at the elementary level and providing an additional middle school teacher to meet student IEP needs
• Adding a Technology teacher at PMHS to expand course offerings in areas such as coding, engineering and data science
• Outfitting all kindergarten classrooms with innovative flexible furniture

Mental Health/Wellness

• Hiring a full-time elementary school counselor who will continue to teach the Fly Five social-emotional learning curriculum
• Adding two clinicians (i.e. social worker/psychologist) to support students at the middle and high schools
• Creating a bowling team at PMHS to meet growing interest and participation in athletics
• Creating a Coordinator of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion who will serve as a liaison for students and families and work to further the District’s work on Cultural Competence
• Shifting responsibilities within the counseling department to provide better counselor-to-student ratio for 9th graders

Organizational Sustainability

• Restructuring District Office administration to better oversee increased staff and program by:
  • Consolidating personnel related functions under leadership of Executive Director for HR & Leadership, and
  • Creating Asst. Superintendent for Excellence in Teaching & Learning to focus exclusively on curriculum, instruction and assessment
• Adding Network Specialist through BOCES services to continue meeting growing technology needs
• Restoring one custodial position to support Hutchinson School

More information about the budget is available on the District website. Additionally, Dr. Champ’s presentation on the 2022-23 budget is available for viewing.

Establishing a Capital Reserve

In addition to the 2022-23 proposed budget, voters will be asked to authorize the creation of a Capital Reserve for the purpose of improvements, repairs, reconstruction and renovation of school district buildings, facilities, property and athletic fields. If approved, the reserve could be funded up to $10 million over a 10-year period. Additional information about this proposal is available on the District website.

Board of Education Member Election

Six candidates are running for three open seats on the Board of Education. Voters may select any three candidates. The six candidates, listed in the order they will appear on the ballot are:

• Jackie De Angelis
• Eileen Miller
• Natalie Marrero
• Paula Wood
• Theresa K. Mohan
• Will Treves

A video recording of the Board of Education Candidates Forum sponsored by the PTA Council is available on the District’s YouTube Channel.

Kids Vote

Students in grades K-5 are encouraged to participate in the annual Kids Vote, which will be open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the vestibule of Pelham Middle School. This year’s choices are:

• Morning Dance Party Day
• Pajama Day
• Game Day
• Wear Your Clothes Inside Out Day

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Pelham Public Schools