WHITE PLAINS WESTCHESTER DAILY NEWS SERVICE VISITS SINCE 2000 A.D. 25TH YEARl REPORTING THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW News Service Since 2000 A.D. 2026 WILL BE OUR 26TH YEAR OF COVERING WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK USA . John F. Bailey, Editor (914) 997-1607 wpcnr@aol.com Cell: 914-673-4054. News Politics Personalities Neighborhoods Schools Finance Real Estate Commentary Reviews Policy Correspondence Poetry Philosophy Photojournalism Arts. The WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER. TELEVISION: "White Plains Week" News Roundup, 7:30 EDT FRI, 7 EDT MON & the incisive "People to Be Heard" Interview Program 8PM EDT THURS, 7 PM EDT SAT on FIOS CH 45 THROUGHOUT WESTCHESTER AND, ALTICE OPTIMUM WHITE PLAINS CH 1300 Fighting for Truth, Justice and the American Way. TOP 10 VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD :1. USA. 2.BRAZIL3.VIET NAM 4. CHINA 5. JAPAN 6.UK. 7.CANADA. 8.INDIA. 9.AUSTRALIA 10.IRELAND 11.GERMANY 12..ARGENTINA 13.BANGLADESH 14.RUSSIA. 15.NEWZEALAND. 16. FRANCE. 17.MEXICO. 18.UKRAINE. 19.SOUTH AFVRICA. 20. IRAQ.
WPCNR REALTY REALITY.Special to WPCNR From Houlihan Lawrence. January 8, 2018 (Edited):
Home sales in Westchester County were down 4.6% from the prior year while sales in Putnam County were up slightly by 3%.
Locally, White Plains, Greenburgh and Valhalla home sales rose 4% and the median price went up 5%.
Dutchess County sales declined 6.6% for the year.
The real estate markets in the suburbs north of New York City finished 2018 with generally slower sales, higher inventory in most markets and a decline in pending sales, according to a report released today by Houlihan Lawrence.
Meanwhile, median sale prices were somewhat higher in all three counties: Westchester ($650,000, up 1.2%), Putnam ($350,000, up 4%) and Dutchess ($281,500, up 8.3%).
Number of homes for sale in Westchester grew by 9.5% with the New York City Gateway submarket (Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle and Pelham) posting the highest increase in inventory of 35.2%.
Putnam’s inventory remained virtually unchanged from the prior year while inventory in Dutchess declined by 11.8 %.
The number of pending sales in Westchester and Putnam fell 10.9% and 11.4 %, respectively, while pending sales in Dutchess declined by 17.2%.
Here are some highlights from the year-end report:
Westchester communities reporting double-digit increases in total sales for the year included Peekskill (33%), Hastings (25%), Rye Neck (26%), Greenburgh (14%), Pleasantville (13%) and Somers (10%). Rivertown communities such as Peekskill and Hastings continue to attract buyers from New York City.
In Dutchess, the sales leaders were Clinton (27%), Beacon (20%) and East Fishkill (14%). Dutchess is enjoying an influx of residents from Brooklyn looking for a more relaxed country lifestyle, especially in the Village of Beacon which is undergoing a downtown revival.
In Putnam, Haldane, Mahopac and Brewster all posted double-digit sales gain for the year of 33%, 11% and 12%, respectively.
NYC Gateway
(Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Pelham and Yonkers)
Homes Sold: down 8%
Median Sale Price: up 5%
Lower Westchester
(Bronxville, Eastchester, Edgemont, Scarsdale and Tuckahoe)
WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey January 8, 2018:
The Common Council is going to put Citizens to Be Heard on television, possibly as soon as the next Common Council meeting, February 4.
Reacting to a group of citizens some 800 strong on the Citizens to Be Heard Facebook page promoting the televising of the Citizens to Be Heard, (the 30-minute citizen speaksession prelude to regular monthly Common Council meetings that has never been televised since its inception during the Delfino administration over 15 years ago), a consensus of councilmembers agreed to get behind the effort to make “CTBH” a televised part of regular Common Council monthly telecasts.
The legislation drawn up in the last 6 days by the city legal department was discussed during the last 8 minutes of the Common Council meeting.
The Council voted to table the legislation pending Mayor Tom Roach preparing a report on the best practices of televising such public input sessions around the area and in different cities in the state.
The cameras could be rolling during the next Citizens to be Heard session on February 4.
Here is the 8-minute sequence from last night’s Council meeting, where the Mayor explained the legislation; threw his support behind it, as did councilpersons Nadine Hunt-Robinson, Jason Barash, Milagros Lecuona, Dennis Krolian and John Kirkpatrick.
MAYOR TOM ROACH, closing out the Common Council explaining the legislation to televise Citizens to Be Heard, and explaining the report he is preparing for the Common Council. After Mayor Roach you will hear from councilpersons John Kirkpatrick, Milagros Lecuona, Dennis Krolian, Nadine Hunt-Robinson, and Jason Barasch on the Citizens To Heard telecasting. About 7:25. Click arrow to watch the action
WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER.By John F. Bailey. January 7, 2018 UPDATED 9:30 A.M. JANUARY 8:
The Common Council this evening approved the hire of a career Westchester County budgeting manager, JamesArnett, to fill the position of Budget Director, a position vacant since Michael Genito retired as Budget Director in July, 2017.
MAYOR ROACH INTRODUCES COUNCILMAN JOHN MARTIN WHO NOTES MR. ARNETT’S EXPERIENCE. THEN MAYOR ROACH NOTES EILEEN BRADLEY’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY AND HER ROLE AFTER MR. ARNETT COMES ABOARD.
Mr. Arnett is currently employed with the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities and according to a Common Councilmember, is currently responsible for a $231,000,000 budget for that department. He has held that position since 2007. (The City of White Plains budget is $196 Million.)
The councilmember told WPCNR this afternoon that Mr. Arnett has previously worked in the County budget department and has approximately almost three decades of budgeting positions for various departments in the county.
Since Michael Genito retired from the city, the city budget has been the responsibility of Eileen Earl as Acting Budget Director. The Mayor indicated that Ms. Earl would be contributing to the preparation of the 2019-2020 budget and be easing Mr. Arnett into the saddle.
Councilman John Martin commented Mr. Arnett had a long experience in County Government.
In a last minute addition to the council agenda, Mr. Martin added Items 102A and B were introduced as an effort to make televising the Citizens to Be Heard portion of the council meeting. The two additions were explained at the close of meeting, and the Council tabled it until February 4. The Mayor said he would have a report on practices as early as next week.
WPCNR observes this may be in response to a citizens group that has lobbied lately for televising the 30 minute session before the meeting that is held at the first Council meeting of the month.
Floating in the Fog: Romance Seethes, Blossoms, Ignites, Inflames Hearts in Spooky Paris Opera House(The WBT). Matthew Billman and Kayleen Seidl are Westchester’s Leading Couple. All Photos, Courtesy, WBT by John Vechiolla
WPCNR STAGE DOOR. Theatrical Review by John F. Bailey.
Come my elegant friends to enchantment, mystery, glorious music awaiting you at the Paris Opera House of La Belle Epoque at the turn of the 19th Century!
The mystique of its Corinthian gilded columns and elegant boxes, the ghostly secrets of its underground depths, magnificent, brooding atmosphere rendered lovingly by Westchester Broadway Theatre.
Meet the Phantom of your dreams the swashbuckling, trademark cape-swishing intense and dynamic phantom Matthew Billman, (of Brooklyn,NY,USA), he of the irresistible baritone that sets women aflutter, that fills the WBT space with his longing, charisma, commitment, and magnetism.
His Phantom is smitten with his femme fatale, the divine ingénue, Christine Daee’ pitch-perfectly played in femininity, looks and soprano by Kayleen Seidl, as the chestnut tressed diva-to-be determined to make it in opera.
Ms. Seidl’s soprano exquisite’ dazzles, glistens ripples tender feelings and swells in splender into breathtaking waves towering, cascading over you powefully lingering in frothy foam of joy, tears, regret — creating in duets with Mr. Billman the jagged edged diamonds of outspoken devotion, anxiety, frustration, raw heartbreak of a love that can never be.
Ms. Seidl will make you weep.
I have to say the electricity the leads deliver makes you root for them.
This is the Phantom that should have been, ladies and gentlemen. Were it not for a quirk of timing this would have been the Phantom that made the Phantom famous on Broadway.
This production holds the Westchester Broadway Theatre record for WBT’s longest run ever staged of all their 207 productions, nine months from 1992 to 1993. It lured people in because it is so good. Not a revival it is a survivor, hailed as a superior Phantom by critics including yours truly, Mr. and Mrs. White Plains.
That original WBT production launched a national tour of the Arthur Kopit (Book) and Maury Yeston(music & lyrics) show. Kopit and Yeston were working on this show in the early 1980s, trying to get financing for it when Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera secured financing first, and Kopit and Yeston abandoned the project in 1983.
Ironically, like the real Phantom, the K & Y musical was buried in the Yeston and Kopit vaults. It was produced out of town in Houston and Seattle and the public loved it.
Mr. Billman’s Phantom is more romantic and seductive, less dark in feel, and contains sensitive family matters, violence (gunshots, explosions) and action. The Phantom is not over-the-top deranged as the Phantoms of the movies.
If you want a Phantom to fall for, Mr. Billman is it. The Phantom is a composite of vampire, mystery man and Superman. Every woman wants a masked mystery man, (preferably in a cape)
If you want a Christine to take under your wing because you think she’s fabulous, well, sir, Ms. Seidl’s Christine is she.
You are familiar with the Webber songs of the Broadway hit, but this Phantom delivers fascinating new ballads and arias to charm you. The musical placed in an opera house plays like an operetta.
If you like opera and thrive on its high hysteria and over the top drama and splendid tragic endings that uplift and hold out hope, this is the stuff your dreams are made of. If you like romantic musicals with an ending building to the future, well you’re going to cry but you will want to know what the real Matthew Billman looks like under the mask. And the only way you can see that is in the Playbill.
It’s the gilded age in Paris.
Here’s the situation. Phantom begins with a “Thump Thump Thump” of the live orchestra trending with a doom beat the ill-fated romance of an overture as Parisians stream about the streets in front of the Paris Opera.
Ms. Seidl’s Christine is singing in the streets of Paris like so many young actors with her marvelous Melodies de Paris and is noticed by Count Philippe, a bon vivant (Larry Luck) a patron of the opera who gives her his card to introduce her to the new opera managers.
Cut to the opera house: the Phantom commands with his tall, broad-shouldered figure and his cape, which he uses like a sidekick and sings the ominous Paris Is a Tomb giving you an idea of the loneliness of this tortured young man who has lived his live in the catacombs of the Opera House for most of his 20-odd years. He is virile, isolated and all he knows is the opera.
Meanwhile, in the manager’s office, the wife of the new opera house manager, Carlotta (Sandy Rosenberg) has fired the long-time manager of the House, Gerard Carriere played stylishly and sensitively by James Van Treuren.
Carriere has for years helped Eric (The Phantom) to live in the depths of the Opera Building and the answer why he has helped him is not explained. Eric wears a mask. Ms. Rosenberg does a malicious delicious This Place is Mine a prelude to the conflict to come.
Carlotta who wants to sing lead in her own opera house listens to Christine sing who has used her card of introduction and confines her to wardrobe.
Eric, the Phantom watching from a place of concealment is smitten listening to her sing to herself. He is smitten. He offers Christine singing lessons.
Christine is equally intrigued with the tall,towering mystery man and especially his moody sensitive brown eyes. In the first of their duets, Home solidifies the audience’s equally smitten relationship with the two leads.
When the two sing the audience bravos every time they finish with a flourish.
The Phantom brings down the house with his ode to Christine’s talent, You are Music. This is a blockbuster where Mr. Billman just makes the audience soar with the spirit of his caring for Christine.
As the Phantom (who has learned to sing from his mother) teaches Christine her Fa-la-la’s stage left, their work is seamlessly staged by Director Tom Plum’s two scene-split with intrigue at the Opera House.
Nailing It! Eric prepares Christine for a singing competition at the Bistro which she (Ms. Seidel in white) of course, nails with her Christine Oligato and As You Would Love Paree.
Carlotta jealous of Christine’s talent has plans for her. She gives her a lead role, and after a suspenseful interlude in Christine’s dressing room, Christine makes a serious mistake.
The first act flies by with the mounting drama, glorious songs and downright lurkiness of it, ending in an opera opening disaster. The audience left with a cliff-hanger for Act Two.
It’s the Phantom to her rescue. Has she lost her voice? Will she live? What have they done to her?
Second Act: Plot deepens. The Phantom has carried Christine to safety with a marvelous boat drifting romantically across the lagoon beneath the opera house. The boat with the Phantom poling to a secret refuge, the elegant Phantom’s Bedroom. And who is the mysterious woman on the headboard of the bed?
Mr. Billman and Ms. Seidl sing to each other with a duet to hear, Without Your Music and Where in the World. The WBT orchestra never intrudes, and lays a bed of melody letting the Phantom and Christine just enchant the audience with splendors of lyrics you will hear for the first time.
As the bedroom scene continues we go back into Eric’s past.
Carriere comes down into the bedroom, warning Christine she must leave. Carriere tells of his past with the woman whose portrait appears on the bed. This backstory is elegantly rendered in a ballet of Carriere’s past with a young dancer,and it reveals the secret origin of The Phantom
Meanwhile the chase is on for Christine.
The drama heightens when Christine in her caring for Eric convinces him to reveal his mask.
What happens next will shatter you, uplift you and bring you to emotional empathy that you will take with you and always remember more than you know.
You will cry at the duet of the two lovers, where Billman and Siedl play off each other beautifully and bond together as they part. A triumphant ending worthy of Aida.
James Van Treuren as Carriere, does a meaningful dramatic turn when he reveals his emotions of a lifetime with Eric in stirring duet with the Phantom which unravels the mystery and explores the regret and satisfaction of caring and standing for someone else when no one else would.
I love this staging. The opera house lives!
Set Coordinator Steve Loftus, Set Coordinator/Scenic Artist Carl Tallent and Lighter Man, Andrew Gmoser capture the vaulting, haunting opera stage atmosphere. They especially have made a star in a leading role of the WBT stage transforming it into a bedroom, a boat that is believable visually and more fog than you’ll ever see in London.
Phantom is back at WBT after a December break, for its last three weeks and will be playing through January 27, 2019. On January 31, the Fats Waller musical (the king of ragtime) Ain’t Misbehavin’ premiers for another unique musical extravaganza.
Get on the phone now (914) 592-2222 for tickets. Or go to www.BroadwayTheatre.com.
If you’re fond of a caped mystery man in your life…If you’re enchanted by a wholesome soprano who’ll haunt your dreams, this is the real Phantom to die for.
WPCNR CYBER DETECTIVE. From Aaron Wordin, PC Ventures. January 6, 2018:
Editor’s Note: Aaron Wordin a frequent commentator on People To Be Heard, seen above on the WPCNR WPTV interview program, forwards this computer scam alert today:
Throughout the day, I’ve received four automated/”robo” calls from a voice purporting to be from Apple support, claiming that my iCloud account was compromised. The number is 212-336-1440. This is NOT Apple Support calling, this is an out-and-out scam to harvest your personal/credit card information. Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, etc will NEVER call you unless you’ve scheduled a callback from their legitimate tech support department. If you’re ever in doubt about how to get in touch with any company’s Tech Support, check out this web site:www.gethuman.com – not only does the real number come up, but there are often shortcuts posted to help you navigate the queue and get live human assistance more quickly.
Pitchers and Catchers Report for Spring Training February 14.
WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECKBy “Bull” Allen. January 6, 2019:
Editor’s Note: As the sun came out late this morning in White Plains New York, USA, and the damp wet cold weather of early January, and the endless stream of football wraps up, and the shutdown continues, I was reminded by my calendar that 106 years ago, Charlie Ebbets began to build Ebbets Field in Brooklyn—the world’s best ballpark for his then Brooklyn Superbas.
Ebbets Field 1955
Now Ebbets Field is just a memory, but back in 1913, it was a sign of hope in Brooklyn, USA.
It was a day of
hope then and this lead to the thought
that, hey, this is January 6—it is just 6 weeks until major league baseball
teams report for spring training.
So I got in touch with Baseball’s Babbling Brook, “Bull”
Allen who is hanging out in Florida awaiting the big league clubs with his
buddy, Phil The Scooter and The Old Redhead at another ballpark of memory where
the Bronx Bombers used to train. Come in, Bull”
“Hello there everybody, this is Bull Allen greeting you in beautiful sunny St. Petersburg Florida, Al Lang Field from the gondola overhanging the empty stands of beautiful Al Lang Field.
This is just a reminder that those of you across the nation that pitchers and catchers will report to spring training camps this year in just six weeks.
Help is on the way! Baseball is on the way, and it cannot come soon enough!
It happens every spring, and they made a movie about it. It’s baseball that’s fun, because the games don’t mean anything except to the players.
They are in competition with one another, and it makes for great involvement by the fans.
As I look out at the empty stands now and feel the warm breeze off Tampa Bay soon to be the home of foul blasts down the leftfield foul line, I’m looking forward to our first broadcasts back to you folks up in Newww Yawk.
The fans love these exhibition games down here. The
youngsters love watching players so close they can talk to them and dream of
what a great season it’s going to be.
You know I can hardly wait.
The crack of the bats lining hanging curve balls from nervous rookie pitchers sending towering drives out to the plain green fence in left; the fine running catch by the new outfielder brought in a trade; the first appearance by the veteran starter trying to prove he has at least 20 solid starts left in his aging arm; who will be the new Yankee shortstop.
Every team up yonder in the north has the same questions about their beloved ball club.
I will miss the Met-Yankee spring training exhibitions (they do not play each other this spring). I wonder whether the Mets have tightened up their porous infield and added speed and savvy to their outfield.
Of course we’ll be seeing clubs we do not see too often during the regular season, Phillies, Pirates, Braves, the Cardinals and the Nationals.
The home opener is the earliest it has ever been March 27 at the Stadium with the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees play a lot of home games in April. Why does baseball schedule games in the northeast in April it is crazy. (We all know last spring was fraught with rainouts, snowouts, and low attendance).
But spring training is coming up. Just 6 weeks folks. And
Sterling and Waldman will be on the Yanks Radio Network just filling us in on
the spring training chatter as the lazy spring training radio broadcasts fill
us with the hope of spring and the greatest season—the baseball season.
The Westchester County Association is hosting Westchester County Executive George Latimer on Thursday, January 10, 2019, 8:00 AM at the Westchester Marriott Hotel, Tarrytown.
There will be an opportunity to pose questions to the County Executive based on the input you provide us in this brief survey. Please note that answers are anonymous. Your input is important and we greatly appreciate your participation. To give your opinions, print out and E-Mail your answers and comments to jemrick@westchester.org
1.The County Executive and Legislature have recently approved a $1.9 billion operating budget for 2019 which includes a 2% county property tax increase. Which of the following best reflects your thoughts on the budget?
The budget is too high, The budget is too low. The budget is appropriate?
2.Should the County enter into a public-private partnership for the management of Westchester County Airport? Yes No No opinion 500 characters left.
3.A proposal has been put forth to develop 60 acres of unused land owned by the County (known as “North 60”) into a $1.2 billion life science and technology center. Which of the following best reflects your thoughts on the project? Move ahead with the current approved developer
Re-issue an RFP for the project
Lease the property for another use
No opinion
4.One suggested way to increase revenue to the County is to request approval from NY State to raise the County sales tax. Do you support that idea?
Yes No No opinion
5.What do you think is the most important role of County government ?
Deliver state mandated social services
Public Safety
Road and infrastructure maintenance
Economic Development
No opinion
6.Do you feel the current County administration fosters a business friendly environment? Yes No No opinion
7.What do you think the County’s most important priorities should be for 2019?
8.Are you considering leaving Westchester County in the next 1-3 years? Yes No Undecided
9.Any additional comments or questions that you have for our County Executive?
WPCNR DOWNTOWN DAILY.From Westchester County Industrial Development Agency (Edited) January 4, 2019:
Westchester County published details of the $46.9 million in tax incentives granted to 7 major developments, (one of which, The Broadstone has been started), in White Plains this week.
The County Industrial Development Agency has awarded the tax relief to–
The Broadstone, $223.4 million, mixed-use development on the corner of Mamaroneck Avenue and East Post Road in White Plains, featuring 434 rental units in three buildings and 8,000 square feet of commercial/retail space. Twenty seven of the units will be affordable. The project is being developed by Lennar Multifamily Communities. Jobs created: 700 construction and 20 permanent. Total IDA incentives: $31.75 million.
440 Hamilton Avenue, a$203 million mixed-use development in downtown White Plains featuring 468 rental units in two towers and 2,240 square feet of commercial/retail space. Thirteen of the units will be affordable. Jobs created: 659 construction and 31 permanent. The developer is Rose Associates. Total IDA incentives: $5.02 million.
The Collection, a $136.2 million mixed-use development in White Plains consisting of 276 rental units in two buildings on Westchester and Franklin Avenues. Seventeen of the units will be affordable. The project, which is being developed by Saber Chauncey WP, will have 24,526 square feet of commercial/retail space. Jobs created: 250 construction and 91 permanent. Total IDA incentives: $3.35 million.
City Square, $146.5 million development transforming the former Westchester Financial Center in downtown White Plains into a mixed-use complex. The project, which is being developed by Ginsburg Development Companies, includes renovation of Class A office space at 50 Main Street, new restaurants and retail space along Main Street and Martine Avenue and conversion of the office building at 1-11 Martine Avenue into 188 rental apartments. Eleven of the apartments will be affordable. Jobs created: 300 construction and 15 permanent. The office space retains 750 jobs. Total IDA incentives: $3.77 million.H
97-111 and 100-114 Hale Avenue, a $48.2 million rental project in White Plains featuring 127 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments in two buildings of seven and eight stories. Thirteen of the units will be affordable. The developer is Hale WP Owner LLC whose members include Martin Berger of Saber Realty, the developer of The Collection in White Plains and the Rivertowns Square mixed-use retail complex in Dobbs Ferry. The development will include various green building features including a green roof on both buildings. Jobs created: 180 construction and 15 permanent. Total IDA incentives: $1.16 million.
138-158 Westmoreland Avenue, a $19.3 million mixed-use development in White Plains, with 62 rental units, of which six will be affordable, and 4,300 square feet of commercial/retail space. Jobs created: 40 construction and 16 permanent. The developer is Westmoreland Lofts. Total IDA incentives: $867,000.
Tax incentives offered by the IDA include sales tax exemptions and mortgage recording tax deductions as well as tax-exempt bonds with interest rates lower than conventionsl debt. These benefits are provided at no cost to the tax payers of Westchester.
RUDY COOMBS 44 years with Youth Shelter of Westchester is interviewed by John Bailey SATRUDAY NIGHT on White Plains TV’s PEOPLE TO BE HEARD AT 7 PM ON FIOS CH.45 and ALTICE CH. 76, or anytime on www.wpcommunitymedia.org. WPTV Photo by Diana Das
Mr. Coombs explores the impact of incarceration on teens from 16 to 25.
Explains how Youth Shelter of Westchester and the Eagle Academy turn youths around in the inner cities.
How the two organizations work with parents and the courts to rescue youth and have created graduates with great futures.
On This week’s PEOPLE TO HEARD, Westchester County’s Most Insightful Interview Program from White Plains TV
Schools Open.Board of Education Returns to 2019-2020 School Budget.
WPCNR SCHOOL DAY. News & Comment By John F. Bailey. January 2, 2019:
The Board of Education returns to action Monday with a presentation of the school long range budget plan to the Board Finance Committee.
The budget plan may take into account future possibilities of construction and upgrading of district buildings, or entire new buildings, or possible expanding enrollment.
At last look, the district demographic predictions do not foresee growth beyond the present enrollment of 7,245. Nonetheless, every elementary school is virtually filled to capacity.
With the city of White Plains envisioning approximately 6,000 new apartments being added over the next five to 10 years, and despite builders’ claims the surge in apartments will not add significantly to school enrollment, the question has to be addressed:
If the enrollment goes up by 500 to a thousand new students reflecting new entry level students, should elementary schools be expanded by building additions?
Should faculty be expanded to keep class ratios 1 teacher to 22 as they stand now?
Should the district at long last establish an in-district school for the disabled, or classes for the severely disabled to alleviate the pressures of sending students to private facilities for the disabled that costs the district up well over $30,000 per student.
Will the speed of technological change, mean a sharp increase in wi-fi and tech upgrading district-wide? These are expensive and relevant issues to consider.
As long as Governor Andrew Cuomo’s tax cap remains in effect, school district budgets will be held in check.
Had the tax cap not been in effect the last 8 years, the White Plains School Board, more frugal than most districts in Westchester, would most likely have grown to over $230 Million. This year the budget is $218.9 Million.
Last year the Governor’s education tax cap was 3%, however
the White Plains City School District chose to keep growth in the budget to 2%,
and the commensurate school property tax increase to 2.9%.
This year the tax cap may be higher. And, the school
district has to negotiate a new contract with the White Plains Teachers Union,
which will probably add a 3% increase in teacher salaries to the budget. This
is a key year for the new Superintendent of Schools.
If the district increases the school budget by 4%, assuming a significant teacher settlement, this will take the school budget to $ 227 Million from the present $ 218.8.
A 5% budget increase (not unreasonable considering some of the potential needs I just mentioned at the top of this article), would put the budget at $230 Million.
Now school district may also consider another strategy of creating contingency funds devoted to certain district improvements like technology upgrades, construction additions school-by-school, and significant faculty increases.
Such a significant increase is definitely possible at this time to comply with the New York Stated Education Department language other than English regulations which given the White Plains School District Dual Language strategy of growing the dual language expansion grade-by-grade each year appears a district strategy that is committed to at this time.
It is hard to believe the district will expand the budget by
5% approaching the levels of growth before the tax cap went into place. A 5%
increase in the White Plains School Tax would cost the homeowner of a median
homeowner approximately $500 more in taxes on the median priced $650,000 White
Plains. And considerably more for homes priced over that $650,000 home.
If they keep the budget at a 2% growth rate the budget goe
up $4.4 Million to $223.2 Million, a perhaps palatable 3% tax increase. If they up the budget 3%, the total goes up
$6,600,000 to $225.4 Million, and perhaps roughly a 4% property tax increase.
I am doing simple baseball statistics here to illustrate how
much impact even the slightest increases in the budget inflate it.
The $6.6 Million increase in the budget should take care of
some contingency funds as well as the teacher contract, and the start of
whatever five year “Must Do” projects that the district sees forthcoming.
This is the year to do that: to
start to pay for the projects they think they need: bond issues? Construction
plans? New tech? Dealing with demographic issues? Benefits?
The budget year 2019-2020 planning will be the most
significant the City School District has ever done.
The creating and planning of the 2019-2020 is the most significant management, budget creativity, negotiating and marketing task any Superintendent of Schools has ever faced in White Plains.
Citizens wanting to follow the budget action closely and add input can do so on the following dates:
January 14, 2019: Presentation of the Long-Range Plan; Review of Budget Parameters.
February 11, 2019: Non-Instructional Budget for Facilities,Athletics, Technology, Transportaion
February 25, 2019: Instructional Budget Presentation (faculty)
March 11, 2019: Presentation of Preliminary Superintendent’s Budget
March 18, 2018: Budget work shop with Board of Education and Administration
April 8, 2019: Adoption of 2019-20 Budget and Property Tax Report Card
