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Staff outlines school bond plan, estimates tax impact will peak in 2033–34
Summary
District presenters described a proposed bond to fund building repairs and improvements, said about 8% of the project is estimated eligible for New York State reimbursement, and gave projected average tax impacts for Scarsdale ($440) and Mamaroneck ($491) homeowners, with a peak in 2033–34.
District staff presented a proposed school bond intended to fund capital repairs and improvements across nearly 1,000,000 square feet of school buildings, saying the work cannot be covered within the annual operating budget.
"So a bond is really the key opportunity we have to bring a large infusion of cash over a longer period to really address all of the needs that have been identified for our school buildings," the Presenter said. The staff speaker explained the district would use short-term bond anticipation notes to finance early project phases and then issue a final bond when the phases are ready to be completed.
The Presenter said about 8% of the bond project is estimated to be eligible for reimbursement from New York State. The Presenter also stated the district's current aid ratio is 19.5%, describing that portion of eligible expenses that would be reimbursed by the state. The staff speaker framed the state support as a partial offset to local costs but did not specify the bond's total dollar amount.
On timing and local tax impact, the Presenter said the first taxpayer effect would be in the 2027–28 fiscal year, rising gradually to a peak in the 2033–34 fiscal year before declining as older debt is retired. The Presenter provided average homeowner estimates: $440 for Scarsdale homeowners and $491 for Mamaroneck homeowners. For the first nine years of the bond the Presenter estimated the incremental impact above the district's 2026–27 assumption would average about $260 per Scarsdale homeowner and $290 per Mamaroneck homeowner.
A Committee member voiced support, saying the benefits for students and the community outweigh the cost to community members. A second Presenter emphasized the proposal's educational goals, saying it would "enhance our students' experience" and create an environment where "students can learn, they can live, and they can lead." No specific vote, bond amount, or final resolution was recorded in the provided transcript.
Next steps and key missing details: the transcript does not specify the total bond amount, the date of any bond referendum or board vote, nor a breakdown of which projects would be funded by the bond. Those details will be necessary for residents evaluating the proposal.
