Dear North Shore Parents, Community Members, and Faculty,
Q. Dr. G., What is Proposition 1 and when is Meet the Candidates Night? Will it be held in-person or remotely?
A.  On March 25, 2021, the Board of Education adopted the school budget (Proposition 1) for the upcoming school year. The Superintendent, the Board, and members of the administration determine the educational spending plan every year. The 2021-22 Budget Proposal (Proposition 1) is $111,641,018, representing a 1.20% budget-to-budget increase from last year and does not exceed the New York State (NYS) allowable tax levy limit. It represents a 1.43% tax levy increase (the amount that is collected in taxes). The school budget will appear on the ballot as Proposition 1.    
The 2021-22 adopted school budget (Proposition 1) allows for the following: 

• Ensures the safety and security of our students and staff, anticipates ongoing variables related to the pandemic, and utilizes reserves/fund balance to offset the expenses that drive the tax levy.
• Maintains desirable class sizes and supports the continued implementation of the 2018-23 Strategic Plan.
• Enables all general and special educational programs, athletics, art programs, and extracurricular activities to remain in place.

A.  Meet the Candidates Night is Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 8 p.m. and it will be held remotely. It is a contested election with four candidates running for two seats. The candidates are Lisa Colacioppo, Maria Mosca, Paul Puskuldjian, and Anthony Stanco. As in the past, it will be hosted virtually by the League of Women’s Voters. Next week, community members will be able to access a link that will allow you to watch the livestream. Please check the school website prior at www.northshoreschools.org for the bios of each of the candidates. Questions for the candidates will be able to be submitted in advance. More information regarding Meet the Candidates Night will be forthcoming. We thank Tim Madden and Lisa Vizza for their many years of service.
The Budget Vote/Election of Trustees will take place on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. in the North Shore High School Gym. Absentee ballot applications are available in the Central Office (112 Franklin Avenue, Sea Cliff) and on our website in English at http://www.counsel.nysed.gov/common/counsel/files/absentee-ballot-application-and-instructions-english.pdf  and in Spanish at http://www.counsel.nysed.gov/common/counsel/files/absentee-ballot-application-and-instructions-spanish.pdf
To learn more about the 2021-22 proposed budget, please visit the Budget/Financial section of the school website at http://www.northshoreschools.org/boe/Budget.html
More budget facts to come! Have a good weekend!
All the best,

Dr. Peter Giarrizzo
Superintendent of Schools