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Byram Hills Superintendent Talks Budget, Safety

ARMONK, N.Y. – First-year Byram Hills Central School District Superintendent Bill Donohue has gone through almost all of the firsts that come with his new position. Almost.

Byram Hills Central School District Superintendent Bill Donohue is ready to propose his first school budget on March 5.

Byram Hills Central School District Superintendent Bill Donohue is ready to propose his first school budget on March 5.

Photo Credit: Michael Nocella

Perhaps the biggest first left for Donohue is the upcoming 2013-14 school budget proposal. The budget plan carries the following three goals, he said:

  • Falls under the state-mandated tax levy cap of 2 percent.
  • Maintains all current programming.
  • Looks to avoid tax spikes and keeps tax rates low for homeowners in the district for the long term.

His proposal will accomplish all three goals, Donohue said.

Other factors in this year’s budget will include technology infrastructure, security needs after the deadly school shooting in Newtown, Conn., and state pension charges. Donohue was also pleased to note that Byram Hills is one of eight school districts in New York to receive a triple-A rating on bonds, which will ultimately save taxpayers $2.5 million.

Donohue and the Byram Hills Central School District Board of Education will unveil the first official proposal for the budget in their next meeting on March 5.

Earlier this week, the Byram Hills Central School District conducted its annual lockdown drill, which had originally been slated for later in the school year.

“We moved them up as a result of Newtown,” said Donohue. “They went very well.”

The district recently hosted safety experts for two days to evaluate safety procedures and offer suggestions for improvements. Although Donohue said he couldn’t “show too much” without being counterproductive, he said he was pleased with their feedback.

“They thought we do an exceptional job,” he said. “They were especially impressed with how we keep students who have fragile mental states integrated into the community.”

Donohue plans to make an official announcement soon on the safety experts’ visit and possible security changes.

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