Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Pelham PTA Council. The Pelham Examiner publishes press releases in the form received as a service to the community.
At its May 8, 2025 meeting, the Pelham PTA Council (PTAC) and PTA Units representing Colonial Elementary School, Hutchinson Elementary School, Prospect Hill Elementary School, Siwanoy Elementary School, Pelham Middle School, Pelham Memorial High School (PMHS), and SEPTA voted to support the inclusion on the May 20, 2025 ballot of the proposed 2025-26 School Budget, capital improvement bond propositions, and the Franklin Place property acquisition.
School Budget and Propositions
The proposed 2025-26 budget represents an appropriation of $96,290,000 (reflecting a budget-to-budget increase of $2,7190,000) and is tax cap compliant (3.48% tax levy increase). If adopted, it will allow the District to continue and grow its rich curricular and program offerings across all levels; expand secondary special education full-time staffing to meet growing student need; maintain all class sizes at or below BOE guidelines; enable human resources technology updates to create more efficient practices; and facilitate in-house improvements such as installation of window A/C units on top floor classrooms, floor replacements, and HVAC, painting, and masonry work. To learn more, please visit the District’s 2025-26 School Budget webpage.
Four capital improvement / infrastructure propositions will be featured on this year’s ballot. They include 1) critical infrastructure improvements at Colonial School, Prospect Hill School, Pelham Middle School, and PMHS; 2) Siwanoy School infrastructure and expansion, including ADA upgrades and A/C; 3) PMHS expansion for new science labs and student commons/cafeteria; and 4) geothermal systems at Prospect Hill School and Siwanoy. To learn more, please visit the District’s Bond webpage. Finally, the ballot will also include a proposition to purchase 29 Franklin Place for conversion into District administrative space. If adopted, this purchase will be funded through the use of undesignated fund balance, essentially a District savings account, meaning no new taxes would be levied. To learn more, visit the District’s Franklin Place Property Acquisition webpage.
BOE Election
All PTA Units and PTAC also encourage registered Pelham voters to cast their ballots on Tuesday, May 20th for the School Budget, the ballot propositions; and three (3) open seats on the Pelham Board of Education. The polls will be open at the Middle School Gym from 7am to 9pm. The candidates (in alphabetical order) are:
- Jackie De Angelis
- Natalie Marrero
- Will Treves
BOE Candidate Forum
Learn more about the candidates at the BOE Candidate Forum, which takes place on Monday, May 12th at 7pm via Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/99254285327). This virtual event will be moderated by the Westchester League of Women Voters. It will be recorded for posting to the District website for after event viewing.
The Pelham PTA Council is committed to unifying and strengthening local PTAs by facilitating partnerships and collaborations that enhance the educational and co-curricular experiences of children and their families in our District, as well as promoting the interests of the National PTA and New York State PTA.
