ERCSD to Seek 1% Tax Levy Hike in Second Budget Vote on June 18

by M.C. Millman

On Thursday night, the ERCSD approved a revised budget with a 1% tax hike that will be up for a vote on Tuesday, June 18.

The second meeting followed one that took place the same week but had to close before a resolution was reached. The sudden conclusion of the first meeting was due to uncontrolled outbursts from parents in the audience during the no-comment-allowed session.

The new budget seeks a 1% tax increase after the original budget was voted down on May 21, as reported by Rockland Daily here. 

The new budget for the East Ramapo school district will be presented on Tuesday, June 18. Voters will be asked to approve a $331.9 million spending plan for 2024-2025, with the proposed tax levy increase lowered to 1% for the re-vote. The new budget uses fewer reserve funds as part of the funding is coming from tax levy increase..

"It's not a budget that is sustainable," an observer at Thursday's meeting shares with Rockland Daily. "They are going to be hiring using reserves this year, but what are you going to do next year? Are you going to fire everybody? If New York State wasn't short-changing our school district for 20 million dollars every year, we wouldn't be in this position."

Each budget vote costs the school district an estimated $150,000.