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GREENBURGH, N.Y. Voters on Tuesday passed a $58.6 million budget in the Greenburgh Central School District 7 and reelected School Board President Terry Williams along with two newcomers, Eric Bitterman and Sonja Brown, according to unofficial results.
Williams, Bitterman and Brown beat out seven other hopefuls for the Board of Education seats, garnering 607, 464 and 457 votes respectively. Brown beat out incumbent Cora Carey by a single vote to take the final open seat on the board.
The third incumbent, Charles Bronz, finished 5th in voting with 437 votes.
"It hasn't hit me yet," Brown said after the vote. "It feels like a dream. I'm just so happy."
Meanwhile, the 2012-2013 spending plan passed with 734 votes in favor and 452 votes against. The approval comes one year after the budget was rejected twice by voters.
"The community overwhelmingly responded to our cause of supporting education for every student," Assistant Superintendent Ed Joseph said.
In the weeks leading up to the vote, administrators said repeatedly the 2012-2013 spending plan had been cut to the bone and urged voters to give their approval. Superintendent Ronald Ross said the district simply couldnt achieve excellence on an austerity budget.
The 2012-2013 plan didnt feature any cuts to staff or after-school programs, however, administrators said they were uncertain what the budget's effect on the property tax rate would be.
Regardless, many voters said Tuesday they thought the district had created a fair budget with necessary increases.
I am hopeful it will pass, Jennifer Tassler said as she left the polls. Our children are important.
Phyllis Fowles said she didnt want to see any cuts to after school activities or programs.
I would like more for our students, she said.
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