I would personally like to thank the more than 3,000 voters who braved the relentless rain on Tues., May 18, to come out and vote on the school budget. The final tally was 1,945 yes votes to 1,122 no votes on the budget itself and 1,522 yes votes to 1,557 no votes on the school bus purchase proposition. Regardless of which way you voted, the Board of Education, administration and staff greatly appreciate the community involvement and interest in education here in Warwick.

During difficult economic times, it is critical that together we work to strike a careful balance between the educational needs of our students and the ability of our community to continue to support education.

We are grateful for everyone who took the time to vote on Tuesday. It was a difficult budget year, especially with no official decision yet on the Governor’s state aid cuts. This budget will help ensure Warwick students continue to receive a quality education.

While it can be said that this approved budget is very much a community budget, built on community input and dialogue, the truth is that we will need even more help from the community as we begin planning (already!) for the 2011-12 school budget. That budget is likely to bring more difficult decisions. The WVCSD administration and Board of Education support the continuation of idea sharing, transparency and community involvement. The Board has stated that it will make sure community members have the chance to participate and have their voices heard in the budget development process for 2011-12, sharing in the great responsibility of determining the future of education in Warwick.

Again, thank you for voting!

Dr. Raymond Bryant
Superintendent of Schools
Warwick Valley Central School District