WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. February 28, 2005: This was to be an historic day in the creation of theWhite Plains City School District Budget, as well as for the City of White Plains financial tradition.

Eyde McCarthy, the City Assessor was to have made an appearance tonight before the Board of Education at 5 Homeside Lane to discuss the health, vibrancy, and therapeutic properties of the city's Payments In Lieu of Taxes that they have assigned to the new developments throughout the city as the city's rennaissance continues. The meeting has been cancelled due to predicted snow in the weather forecast.

McCarthy is being counted on by the school district to provide a dollars-and-sense picture of what the City School District can expect in pilot payment increases in the 2005-2006 budget and years ahead and how assessibles (On an eleven-year decline) will be affected It is the first time in five years the city has actually made an appearance before the Board to brief them on the realities of assessibles in the city.

Presently the School Budget for 2005-2006 anticipates a 9.6% increase over this year and a 12.2% increase in the school tax levy to fill that gap. Presently the School Budget anticipatesa $6,273,767 payment in lieu of taxes as part of that budget.

The comments tonight from the Assessor would have been a rare public discussion of city financial health by the Delfino Administration. The next meeting of the Board is Wednesday, March 2 at 7:30 P.M. when the Annual Budget Committee meets.