RAVENA — On Tuesday, April 18, the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk (RCS) Board of Education approved a proposed $45.8 million budget for the 2017-18 school year. The proposal calls for a 2.99 percent spending increase and a tax levy increase of 1.25 percent, which is the district’s calculated tax levy “cap.”
If approved by district residents on Tuesday, May 16, RCS would continue all current programs and services for students. This includes an array of academic opportunities from career and technological education to college and advanced placement, as well as a host of counseling and academic intervention services, and co-curricular and athletic programs.
The proposed budget would also allow the district to expand on its initiative to offer students greater access to instructional technologies to prepare students for the demands of an increasingly digital world.
While building the budget, district leaders say they focused on creating an effective and efficient plan that would support students, staff and the community. According to officials, there were no contested issues and the budget is comparable to those passed in recent years. Extra funding approved by the state Legislature, in addition to that proposed in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Budget, will go toward paying employee retirement benefits.
One noticeable difference for taxpayers will be increased tax rates for the 2017-18 year, due to a lowered tax assessment for local business Selkirk Cogen. The district does not control home or business assessments, however taxes collected from those assessments act as revenue for the district.
Three candidates are running for three seats on the Board of Education.
Tina Furst-Hotaling
Town of residence: Ravena
Family: Husband, Ronald and children, Savannah, Shane and Samuel
Employment: Aging Services Representative for NYS Office for the Aging
Education: Coxsackie-Athens High School, B.S. in human service administration from Empire College
Community and District Activities: Past Coeymans Hollow Auxiliary Treasurer, Past Pieter B. Coeymans PTO Treasurer and President, Past Little League Concession Commissioner, RCS Youth Soccer Coach, St. Patrick’s Faith Formation ninth- and tenth-grade Catechist
Statement: “I have been very impressed with the level of professionalism, cooperation and collaboration that I have encountered with all of the BOE members and school administration.
There is a wealth of background experiences with each member and a commitment to responsibly use our resources to invest in our staff and students while preparing both for the challenges that will present in the future. Regardless of educational, social or economic starting point, I believe that our every action as a Board should make the RCS experience better than it was the day before.”
William McFerran
Town of residence: Selkirk
Family: Wife, Kim and children, Mollie, Jack and Katie
Employment: Project Manager for New York State
Education: Bethlehem High School, B.S. in Business Management from Springfield College
Community and District Activities: RCS Finance Committee, Vice President and Manager of Hudson Valley Little League, Board member and coach for Ravena Youth Basketball
Statement: “I have served on the Board since July 2014 and am looking to serve another term. I believe that RCS needs to provide the children of our district the tools to succeed. As a Board of Education member, I would be both a voice for our community and our children.”
Peter Ross
Town of residence: Feura Bush
Family: Wife, Nicole and children Tyler, Leah, Becker
Employment: Technology Education teacher, Averill Park Central School District
Education: Shaker High School, B.S. in Technology Education from Oswego State Univ., Masters in Education from Walden Univ.
Community and District Activities: Averill Park CSD Robotics Club, Builder’s Club, Building Representative
Statement: “Because of my background in teaching and my dedication to my children’s education, I would like to be a part of the RCS BOE. I have significant experience in dealing with school issues from a teacher’s perspective as well as from a parental point of view. I am a strong leader who enjoys working with others to achieve community goals. I look forward to beginning my service to my community as my oldest child enters high school and my youngest starts pre-k!”