The annual school budget vote will take place throughout the Pine Bush Central School District on Tuesday, May 15. The proposed 2007-2008 budget, set at $93,216,843 represents a 6.97% increase over the current year. It is expected to pass.

Larger than usual turnout is forecast, however, due to an opposition slate running against two Board of Education incumbents and one trustee vacancy. Board President Virginia Esposito seeks re-election, along with Trustee Joseph Zankl. Trustee William McGillicuddy is stepping down.

The past few years have witnessed unopposed elections for the school board.

Newly declared challengers are Alexis Sher Singh of Bloomingburg; James E. Barrett of Walker Valley; and James A. Starr of Pine Bush. These three candidates say they're not looking to make drastic changes to the district's budget or curriculum, but wish to alter the makeup of the board, in order to allow better interface with the public.

"The three of us have talked quite a bit together," said Starr. "We just want to change everything back to a more community-minded board. That's what we think the change should be," he remarked, "more user-friendly." Singh agreed. "We have to listen to our community," she said. "I'd really like to see shared decision making be in the process again." Singh added, "I think people are unhappy because they're not feeling like a stake holder. That's what I'm hearing in the community." Barrett was unavailable due to an urgent matter.

A budget newsletter was mailed to every household in the district, featuring names of all board candidates, their photo, a synopsis of their credentials, and a personal statement, yet strangely it omits any details of the candidates' personal educational level. Another factor in this election is the public access cablecast of board meetings, which began last year though volunteer efforts. Residents who otherwise would never see a school board meeting, now tune in regularly.

TV cameras "provided more support than I've seen in 10 years," commented Trustee Roseanne Sullivan, who was re-elected unopposed last year. Sullivan's television fans observe that she occasionally locks horns with incumbents Esposito and Zankl, and that she supports the opposition slate. The voting results on May 15th should reveal whether televised school board meetings altered the district's poltical landscape.