WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. May 18, 2010: White Plains voters gave the Board of Education and the School District and new Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Christopher Clouet a resounding vote of confidence tonight.

The 2,273 voters casting ballots passed the school budget by a 66% to 34% margin, 1,525 in favor  of the $183.5 Million budget (incidentally $27 million more than the proposed city budget proposed by the White Plains Common Council Monday night) and 748 opposed. Sheryl Brady and Charles Norris were elected to second terms on the school board.

Dr. Clouet told WPCNR he thanked the voters for their support of the budget in a very difficult year, and appreciate their turning out to support public education in White Plains.

The Unofficial Results Tabulated Tonight at the Board of Education Headquarters on Homeside Lane

Clouet speaking on White Plains Week two weeks told viewers of the local news program that the $183.5 level of spending was the absolute bottom level the district could entertain without impacting the quality of education in White Plains. The budget reduces teacher staffing significantly, eliminating 41 full-time teachers, 39 support staff (teaching assistants), 4 administrators  for a grand total of 83.1 Full-time employees

Here are the details on what the budget means for White Plains.

The Big Picture.

The 2010-11 proposed budget raises the tax levy 2.39%, which delivers a 3.7% increase in the tax rate per $1,000 of assessed valuation to $534.63.

For the median White Plains home (pegged at $650,000) for a property owner under 65 -- this delivers a $400 tax increase, raising the school property tax on that median home to  $8,340. If you are over 65, you get a $365 tax increase to $6,529. Bear in mind if your home is valued more than $650,000, your tax is higher.

To figure out what you pay under the new STAR EXEMPTION and ENHANCED STAR EXEMPTIONS, deduct $2,740 from your assessed value if you're under 65 and multiply it by $534.63. If over 65 deduct $5,480 from your assessed value and multiply it by $534.63.

City and School District Tax Effect: $11,500 on the median home.

When you combine the school district tax of $8,340 with the new city tax rate announced Monday evening for the median White Plains home. The city's Commissioner of Finance Michael Genito  said the average White Plains home is valued at $728,000 and they would pay $221 more under the new city tax rate announced tentatively Monday evening as $171.97.

For the $650,000 home with an assessed value of $18,375 the total city tax at the $171.97 tax rate is $3,160.  Add that to the new school tax for that $650,000 home and that home will pay $11,500 to the city and to the School coffers.  When you add the county tax, about $2,700--the tax bite rises to over $14,000.