Annual Budget Vote and Election

SUPPORTING AN OUTSTANDING EDUCATION | HELPING ALL STUDENTS LEARN AND GROW

Dear KLSD Community,

We are grateful for your continued support of KLSD students. Their accomplishments in our classrooms, on our stages, in our gyms and on our fields are a continuing source of pride and joy.

Next year’s school budget reflects our commitment to maintaining KLSD’s outstanding educational environment in a fiscally responsible manner. Our proposed budget protects the rich educational programming and effective class sizes that serve our students well. And it does so while staying below the New York State tax levy cap.

On May 21, voters will notice four propositions on the ballot. They are explained in our Budget Newsletter in more detail. These propositions reflect our efforts to use funds wisely that have been previously approved by voters and to take advantage of Federal Government rebates to subsidize our school infrastructure projects

Thank you for entrusting us to propose the 2024-25 school budget. On May 21, 2024, please vote on the KLSD budget, additional propositions and the election of three Board of Education trustees.

The Board of Education

May 21, 2024 Annual Budget Vote and Election - General Information and Obtaining an Absentee Ballot or Early Mail Voting Ballot

General Information: 

Katonah-Lewisboro School District’s annual budget vote and school board member election is held on the third Tuesday in May.  For the current school year, the date is May 21, 2024.  Registered voters may vote on propositions placed on the ballot for the 2024-2025 school year and on Board of Education members.

All seats on the Board of Education are “at large,” which means that each nominee is eligible for any vacancy, rather than only for a specific seat. There will be three open seats on the May 21, 2024, ballot. Two seats will be for a full three-year term (July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027) currently filled by Marjorie Schiff and Elana Shneyer, and one seat will fill an unexpired term (May 21, 2024, through June 30, 2025) currently being filled by William Rifkin. The two candidates with the highest number of votes will serve for the three-year term and the candidate with the third highest number of votes will serve for the term, May 21, 2024, through June 30, 2025.  

The polls are open from 6:00 am until 9:00 pm.  A post card will be mailed to all registered voters prior to the annual school district vote and election informing you of your polling location. 

Voter Registration Information:

In order to vote in the Katonah-Lewisboro School District’s Annual Budget Vote and Election on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, you must be a registered voter. 

Last day for registration is Thursday, May 16, 2024.  You may register in person with Kimberly Monzon, District Clerk during the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  There is a special voter registration scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the District Office. 

If you are unsure if you are a registered voter, you may check your registration status.  

Voter Qualification: 

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be at least 18 years old by May 21, 2024 (the date of the election)
  • be a resident of the school district for at least 30 days prior to May 21, 2024
  • be a registered voter
    • be registered with either the school district (to vote in school district elections ONLY) or
    • be registered with Westchester County Board of Elections (to vote in ALL elections). If you have previously registered to vote, but have not voted in either a school district or general election in the last four years, you must re-register to vote.

Absentee Ballot and Early Mail Voting Ballot Application Process

To obtain an absentee or early mail voting ballot for the May 21, 2024 Budget Vote and Elections an application must be completed and returned to the District Clerk before an absentee or early mail voting ballot can be provided.   An application cannot be submitted prior to Monday, April 22, 2024.   

Applications, if they are mailed, must be received by the District Clerk by Tuesday, May 14, 2024.  If the application is mailed the address is 60 North Salem Road, Cross River, NY 10518.

Applications, if delivered personally, must be received by the School District Clerk not later than 5 PM on Monday, May 20, 2024.  If the application is hand delivered the address is 60 North Salem Road, Cross River, NY 10518.  The District Offices are located around the left side of the John Jay High School. 

Once the application is completed, returned to the District Clerk’s office, a ballot will be mailed to the address specified on the application, after the voter is verified by the district clerk as a registered voter.   If the application is brought into the District Clerk's office, a ballot will be handed to the registered voter directly or the person authorized.  A ballot may not be given to anyone other than the voter or the person authorized by the voter to pick up the ballot on their behalf.    

Absentee ballots or Early Mail Voting ballots must be received by the School District Clerk no later than 5 PM on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Military Ballot Application Due no later than 5 PM on April 25, 2024

In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be returned to the district, by mail or in person, no later than 5 pm on the 26th day before the election.

Distribution of Military Ballots

Ballots for military voters shall be mailed or otherwise distributed in accordance with the preferred method of transmission on the military ballot application, as soon as practicable, but not later than 25 days before the election or by April 26, 2024.

Important 2024 Budget Vote Dates:

  • April 22 - School Board Petitions Due by 5 pm - District Clerk's Office
  • April 25 – Military Ballot Applications Due
  • May 7 – Parent Council Hosts Candidates’ Night
  • May 9 - Public Hearing on Proposed School Budget & Candidate Statements
  • May 11 – Special Voter Registration 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – District Clerk’s Office
  • May 14 - Last Day to Accept Applications for Absentee Ballots (if application is to be mailed)
  • May 16 - Last Day to Register to Vote
  • May 20 - Last Day to Accept Applications for Absentee Ballots in Person
  • May 21– Absentee Ballots due by 5:00 p.m. – District Clerk’s Office
  • May 21 - Annual Budget Vote and School Board Election

For assistance please contact Kimberly Monzon, District Clerk, at 914-763-7020 or kmonzon@klschools.org.

 

Parent Council Hosts Candidates' Night

Parent Council hosted a Candidates' Night on May 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.  The recording of the event can be found on the District's YouTube channel

 

 

 

Absentee Ballot & Early Mail Voting Ballot Application Process

Absentee Ballots and Early Mail Voting Ballots:  

To obtain an absentee ballot or an early mail voting ballot for the May 21, 2024 Budget Vote and Elections an application must be completed and returned to the District Clerk before an absentee ballot or an early mail voting ballot can be provided.

An application cannot be submitted prior to Monday, April 22, 2024

Applications, if they are mailed, must be received by the District Clerk by Tuesday, May 14, 2024.  If the application is mailed the address is 60 North Salem Road, Cross River, NY 10518.

Applications, if delivered personally, must be received by the School District Clerk not later than 5 PM on Monday, May 20, 2024.  If the application is hand delivered the address is 60 North Salem Road, Cross River, NY 10518.  The District Offices are located around the left side of the John Jay High School.  

Once the application is completed, please return to the District Clerk’s office.  Your ballot will be mailed to the address you specify when the ballot is ready. The absentee ballot or early mail voting ballot will be handed to the registered voter directly or the person authorized.  A ballot may not be given to anyone other than to the voter or the person authorized by the voter to pick up the ballot on his/her behalf.    

Absentee ballots or Early Mail Voting ballots must be received by the School District Clerk no later than 5 PM on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact the District Clerk Kimberly A. Monzon at 914-763-7020.  

KLSD Absentee Ballot Application - English.pdf  
KLSD Early Mail Voting Ballot Application - English.pdf 

 

Para obtener una boleta de voto en ausencia o una boleta de votación anticipada por correo para el presupuesto y la votación electoral del 21 de mayo de 2024, se debe completar una solicitud y devolverla al Secretario del Distrito antes de que se pueda proporcionar una boleta de voto en ausencia o una boleta de votación anticipada por correo. 

No se puede presentar una solicitud antes del lunes 22 de abril de 2024.

Las solicitudes, si se envían por correo, deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito a más tardar  el martes 14 de mayo de 2024.  Si la solicitud se envía por correo, la dirección es 60 North Salem Road, Cross River, NY 10518.

Si las solicitudes se presentan en persona, deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito Escolar a más tardar el lunes 20 de mayo de 2024 a las 5 p.m.  Si la solicitud se entrega en mano, la dirección es 60 North Salem Road, Cross River, NY 10518.  Las oficinas del distrito están ubicadas en el lado izquierdo de la Escuela Secundaria John Jay.  

Una vez que se complete la solicitud, devuélvala al Secretario del Distrito.  Su boleta será enviada por correo a la dirección que especifique cuando la boleta esté lista. La boleta no puede ser entregada a nadie que no sea el votante o la persona autorizada por el votante para recoger la boleta en su nombre.

Las boletas de voto en ausencia o por correo anticipado deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito Escolar a más tardar el martes 21 de mayo de 2024 a las 5 p.m.

 

KLSD Absentee Ballot Application - Spanish.pdf 
KLSD Early Mail Voting Ballot Application - Spanish.pdf 

Special Voter Registration Scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024

Saturday, May 11, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
District Office
60 North Salem Road
Cross River, NY 10518

The District Office is located around the left side of the High School.  The entrance to the District Office is up the set of wooden stairs. 

Members of the community will be able to register to vote with the School District, obtain or submit absentee ballot or early mail voting applications. 

 You are already registered to vote if:

  1. You are a District resident and registered with Westchester County, or
  2. You have voted in a school district election within the last 4 years.

If you are not registered you may:

  1. Register to vote with Westchester County, which will allow a resident to vote in any school district/county vote or election.
  2. Register with the District Clerk between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or, which will allow a resident to vote only in school district votes or elections.  (Personal Registration)

A community member wishing to register: 

  • Must be a citizen of the United States;
  • Must be at least 18 years of age or older (16 or 17 year old's may pre-register but cannot vote until the age of 18);
  • Must be a resident of the school district for at least 30 days before the election; and 
  • Not be adjudged to be an incompetent. 

Registration Deadline:

The last day for personal registration is Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

If you are unsure if you are a registered voter Check to see if you're registered.

If you are unsure which elementary school your polling location is please follow the link to Katonah-Lewisboro’s Poll Place Finder at https://es.findmypollplace.com/KatonahLewisboroUFSD/

Registro especial de votantes.pdf 

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Kimberly Monzon, District Clerk at 914-763-7020 or e-mail at kmonzon@klschools.org

Prospective School Board Candidate Packets Available starting February 12

Beginning February 12, 2024, Prospective Board of Education Candidate Packets are available for community members interested in running for a vacant seat on the Katonah-Lewisboro School Board of Education.   Candidate packets may be obtained from Ms. Kimberly Monzon, District Clerk, at the District Office located at 60 North Salem Road, Cross River, New York, Monday – Friday during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.   

Please contact Kimberly Monzon, District Clerk, via e-mail at kmonzon@klschools.org or call 914-763-7020 to schedule an appointment to obtain a packet. 

The Katonah-Lewisboro School District Board of Education will have three (3) trustee vacancies to be voted on during the May 21, 2024 Annual Budget Vote and Election.  Two seats will be for a full three-year term (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027) and one seat will fill an unexpired term (May 21, 2024 through June 30, 2025). 

Each candidate must properly file a nominating petition with the District Clerk in order for their name to appear on the ballot for the Annual School Election and Vote.  The deadline to submit the nominating petition is Monday, April 22, 2024 by 5:00 p.m.

Westchester-Putnam School Boards Association will host a workshop for Prospective School Board Members on Thursday, April 18, 2024.  Details on the workshop will be provided in the Prospective School Board Candidate Packets. 

Annual Budget Vote and Election Notice

KATONAH-LEWISBORO UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, KATONAH, NEW YORK
NOTICE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET,  SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION AND BUDGET VOTE
PUBLIC HEARING FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET VOTE MAY 9, 2024

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board of Education of the Katonah-Lewisboro Union Free School District, Westchester County, New York, that it will hold the Public Hearing on the Budget of the qualified voters of said School District in the Library at John Jay High School, Cross River, New York, in said School District, on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 7:30 p.m., prevailing time, for the purpose of presenting the budget document for the 2024-2025 School Year.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Annual Meeting and Vote on the Budget will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at the three (3) election districts hereinafter set forth, between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M., prevailing time, when the polls will be open for the purpose of voting, by voting machine: 

  1. To vote upon the appropriation of funds in the amount of $124,318,762 to meet the estimated expenditures for school district purposes for the 2024-2025 School Year (the Budget).
  2. To vote on two Vehicle Replacement Propositions
  3. To vote on Inflation Reduction Act Proposition
  4. To elect two (2) members to the Board of Education for a three-year term, from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027 and elect one (1) member to the Board of Education to fill the balance of an unexpired term, from May 21, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN the Propositions in substantially the following form shall be presented to the qualified voters of the District at such Annual District Meeting and Election:

PROPOSITION #2 – VEHICLE REPLACEMENT

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Katonah-Lewisboro Union Free School District, Westchester County, New York, is hereby authorized to purchase and pay for up to four vehicles including the following types of vehicles: (66) passenger electric or fuel bus (and/or a similar sized substitute), (18) passenger electric or fuel van (and/or a similar sized substitute), (78) passenger buses electric or fuel bus (and/or a similar sized substitute) and/or an electric, hybrid or fuel van (and/or a similar substitute) for a total cost not to exceed $450,000 which sum shall be funded from current funds available within the general fund. Said funds to be transferred to the capital fund.

PROPOSITION # 3 - VEHICLE REPLACEMENTS

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Katonah-Lewisboro Union Free School District, Westchester County, New York, is hereby authorized to purchase and pay for up to six vehicles including four (4) (18) passenger electric or fuel vans (and/or a similar sized substitute), one (1) (8) passenger electric or fuel wheelchair van (and/or a similar sized substitute), one (1) transportation hybrid/ electric/fuel van (and/or a similar sized substitute). For a total cost not to exceed $551,588 which sum shall be funded from current unused funds in the capital fund.

PROPOSITION #4 – Inflation Reduction Act

 RESOLVED, that Inflation Reduction Act funds expected to be received from the United States of America in the amount of $4,500,000 are hereby authorized to be expended by the Katonah-Lewisboro Union Free School District for the construction of improvements and alterations to all District school buildings (the “Project”), in addition to the $49,500,000 heretofore approved by the voters on October 18, 2022 for such purposes; such additional $4,500,000 is needed on account of unanticipated increases in the cost of the Project.

Such Propositions shall appear on the ballot to be scanned in the voting machines used for voting at said Annual District Meeting and Election in substantially the foregoing form.

In the event any proposition must be presented in abbreviated form on the voting machine, there shall be prominently posted at the polling place in each election district the full text of the proposition and copies shall be available at such place for use by a qualified voter.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required to fund the School District’s Budget for 2024-2025, exclusive of public monies, may be obtained by any resident of the School District during business hours, during the fourteen days prior to the Annual Meeting on May 21, 2024, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at each schoolhouse within the School District and at the Administrative Office.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN “A Real Property Tax Exemption Report” prepared in accordance with Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law will be annexed to any tentative/preliminary budget as well as the final adopted budget of which it will form a part; and shall be posted on the District bulletin board(s) maintained for public notices, as well as on the District’s website.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that petitions for nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education must be filed with the Clerk of the School District by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2024, in the form and manner prescribed by Section 2018 of the Education Law.  Vacancies on the Board of Education to be filled shall be at large.  Each petition shall be directed to the Clerk of the District, shall be signed by at least 65 qualified voters of the district; shall state the name and residence address of each signer and the name and residence address of the candidate. Petition forms may be obtained from the Office of the School District Clerk during regular business hours and on weekdays when school is in session.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that any question or proposition (notice of which is not required by law to be placed in the notice of call of said meeting or election), to be voted upon at a meeting or election of said School District for the purpose of preparing a ballot for the machine, shall be submitted to the Board of Education through the Clerk of said School District; such petition shall be signed by at least 163 qualified voters of the District; shall state the name and legal residence of the signer; and shall be submitted not later than 30 days before the Annual Meeting.   The Board of Education reserves to itself the right to (1) refuse to place any questions or proposition on the ballot that would be unlawful or which is not within the power of the voters; (2) to reword such question or proposition to make its meaning clearer or to word it in legal phraseology without changing the context or meaning thereof; (3) to submit any question or proposition upon its own motion; and (4) to prescribe the order in which the question or proposition shall be placed upon the voting machine.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the polling places for the purpose of voting at the Annual School District Election and Vote on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, shall be as follows:

ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 1:  All the area within the boundaries of said District which is co-extensive with the attendance zone for Katonah Elementary School is known as and designated as Election District No. 1, and the inhabitants in said area qualified to vote shall register and vote at Katonah Elementary School, 106 Huntville Road, Katonah, New York.

ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 3:  All the area within the boundaries of said District which is co-extensive with the attendance zone for the Increase Miller Elementary School is known as and designated as Election District No. 3, and the inhabitants in said area qualified to vote shall register and vote at Increase Miller Elementary School, 186 Waccabuc Road, Goldens Bridge, New York.

ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 4:  All the area within the boundaries of said District which is co-extensive with the attendance zone for the Meadow Pond Elementary School is known as and designated as Election District No. 4, and the inhabitants in said area qualified to vote shall register and vote at Meadow Pond Elementary School, 185 Smith Ridge Road, Route 123, South Salem, New York.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that registration of voters shall take place between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. through Thursday, May 16, 2024, on any school business day or such other hours by appointment, at the Office of the District Clerk, or a member of the Board of Registration.  Registration of voters shall also take place at any district school between 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. on any regular school day through Thursday, May 16, 2024, and at the Office of the District Clerk on Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.  Any person shall be entitled to have his/her name placed upon such Register if he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of the Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote.  If a voter has heretofore registered to vote with the School District and has voted at an annual or special school district meeting within the last four calendar years, s/he is eligible to vote at this election and vote.  If an eligible voter is currently registered to vote with the Westchester County Board of Elections, s/he is also eligible to vote in this election and vote.  All other persons who wish to vote must register with the Board of Registration.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Register of voters so prepared shall be filed in the Office of the District Clerk where the same shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M., prevailing time, on the five days prior to the Election and Vote, except Sunday.  Said Register will be open for inspection at the polling places on the date of the Election and Vote, May 21, 2024.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee and early mail ballots for the Annual School District Election and Vote to be held on May 21, 2024, may be obtained at the Office of the Clerk of the District located in the District Office of the Katonah-Lewisboro School District, 60 North Salem Road, Cross River, NY 10518 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM on any school business day or such other hours by appointment.  An application for an absentee or early mail ballot must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than thirty (30) days before the Annual School District Election and Vote.  The application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days prior to the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot will be personally picked up by the voter or his/her designated agent.  Upon receiving a timely application for a mailed absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address designated on the application by no later than six (6) days before the Annual School District Election and Vote.  Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the School District Clerk by no later than 5:00 PM, prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.  A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the said Office of the District Clerk during regular office hours, 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., prevailing time, until the day of the School District Budget Vote.  Any qualified voter may file a written challenge of the qualifications of a voter, whose name appears on such list, stating the reasons for the challenge.  A challenge to an absentee ballot may not be made on the basis that the voter should have applied for an early mail ballot.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district.  Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot. Military voter registration forms and military ballot application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk of the school district no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 25, 2024. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is (1) received in the office of the District Clerk before the close of the polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government; or (2) received by the office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is associated to be not later than the day before the election.

 May 21 2024 Annual Budget Vote and Election Legal Notice FINAL Spamish.docx 

PRIOR YEARS' BUDGET INFORMATION