Clarkstown School District voters made their choices clear on Tuesday passing the budget, which received 68.72 percent of the vote, and electing newcomers Wendy Adolff, Mike Aglialoro and Chris Conti.
The $180 million budget maintained instructional programs and staff. It included funds for a boiler replacement at Clarkstown North High School and continuation of the district’s Technology Refresh Program. The budget stayed within the two percent state property tax cap and drew almost $6 million from reserve funds.
Each of the winning candidates seeking election to three-year terms on the school board received more than 2,200 votes. Adolff received 2,295 votes, Aglialoro received 3,297 votes and Conti received 2,668.
Adolff is a 47-year-old New City resident, who works as an Independent Title Closer. Aglialoro, 43, lives in West Nyack and is a portfolio manager for a money management firm in New York City. Congers resident Conti is 41 years old and is a secondary math teacher at BOCES.
“I appreciate everyone’s support,” said Aglialoro. “I think the message is the community wanted a new start.”
"The only endorsement I needed were the votes. I’m so grateful for everybody that believed in me and came out to vote," said Adolff. "The district is going to move forward in a positive manner. The community has spoken and their concerns will be addressed."
"I hope to move the board in a positive direction," said Conti. "I'm ecstatic about the victory and humbled that over 2,000 people voted for me."
The budget passed with 3,217 votes in favor and 1,464 against for a total number of 4,681.
The other candidates were: challenger Leo Macias and incumbents Phil DeGaetano and Donna Ehrenberg. DeGaetano, a New City resident, served one term on the board. New City resident Ehrenberg, 50, served one term on the school board and is an assistant director and parent advocate at the Rockland Independent Living Center. Macias, 35, works as an assistant principal at Yonkers Montessori Academy and lives in Congers.
“The people have spoken tonight,” said DeGaetano. “I’m happy the budget passed in good manner. Good luck to all three of them I know they’ll do a fine job.”
The $180,931,141 budget is 3.02 percent higher than last year’s spending plan. It would increase the tax rate by 2.37 percent or an average of $163 per homeowner. It stays within the state’s two percent property tax cap.
