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In an effort to increase classroom space, the Tuckahoe Board of Education announced a proposal to purchase a property near William E. Cottle Elementary School in January, which was scheduled to be put to a special public vote in March, before Mother Nature intervened and a storm forced a delay.
With the winter weather behind them, the Board announced that the new vote has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 16.
Following a series of meetings and discussions, earlier this year, the Board of Education unanimously approved a special public vote, which will decide whether the district should purchase the premises located at 110 Ridge St. in Eastchester.
Presently, 110 Ridge St. is a private residence on the corner of Siwanoy Boulevard, directly across the street from the elementary school. If voters approve, and the district completes the sale, the property would become “district office space with a residential design,” allowing for the relocation of administrative offices currently at the high school, freeing up more than 2,600-square-feet of instructional space.
According to the Board, due to fiscal prudence in recent years, the district has sufficient funds in its undesignated fund balance to pay the cost of the property if it is approved by voters. Since the district is paying for the property out of savings, there is no cost to taxpayers, though removing the property from the tax rolls will increase taxes by approximately $7 annually to the typical homeowner.
Residents planning to vote must be registered, which can be completed at the District Clerk’s office during school hours. There will be voting locations at the Tuckahoe Community Center, Cottle Elementary and the Union Corners Fire House.
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