WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. April 24, 2008: The Assistant Superintendent for Business of the White Plains School District, Fred Seiler, advised WPCNR today that the School District is prohibited by law from changing the school budget after April 19, so at this time no budget cutting to prevent a $1.2 Million hit on the White Plains taxpayer due to the legislature-enforced 10% cut in the Basic and Enhanced Star  Exemptions is contemplated.

Seiler said the Board of Education could opt to cut the Tax Rate of $5.03 per thousand, and not spend money in certain areas to make up the difference. The district when they passed the $184.4 Million school budget April 14, was unaware an extra 5% had been cut from the STAR Exemptions.

Seiler said that the City Assessor described the impact of the STAR exemption as an average of $81 more in taxes paid by the average White Plains taxpayer. However, this is dependent on the value of one's home. Persons owning more expense homes pay as much ast $200 or more in increased taxes as a result of the legislature's clandestine decision.

More on this, as WPCNR continues to follow this developing story.