MAHOPAC, N.Y.—On May 6, the MCSD held a budget hearing for the community. During that hearing, Assistant Superintendent for Finance Alyssa Murray presented the budget, in its final form, one more time. A short video about the budget was also debuted.
The school district originally proposed a 1.95% tax levy to fund the budget. That number has now been reduced to a 1% tax levy. This reflects months of controversy and debate that, at times, became heated during a budget season that saw the school board president, former trustee Jonathan Schneider, resign his position on the board.
The 1% number represents a compromise from the district to address what the community says it needs and will require the district to draw from its reserve to fully fund the budget. A 1% tax levy will mean a home in Mahopac assessed at $500,000 will see an annual increase of
Only one person spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting: Mahopac resident Marie Frenkel.
Frenkel said, "I'm disappointed we didn't get the 0% tax increase that so many people begged for. It would have only taken $650,000 more from the reserve funds we have squirreled away to get to 0%, and I think we should have done it. I feel that we keep spending and spending, and we have lost our way."
It's that time of year again: School board election season. Lawn signs all over Mahopac declare their allegiance to several different candidates. But who are they, and what do they hope to accomplish? At "Meet the Candidates" night, also held on May 6, Vincent Furfaro, Lucy Massafra, Adam Savino, Nicole Iacono, and Kyle Potter addressed residents. They each answered the same four questions from the community, offering a glimpse into their priorities and motivations.
At first, there was some controversy as the candidates did not seem to know they would not have access to the questions beforehand. In the spirit of compromise, candidates were then offered the opportunity to take ten minutes to go over the questions, take notes, and collect their thoughts.
When asked about their three top priorities, candidates emphasized a wide range of goals. Furfaro, a commercial contractor, focused on the oversight of facilities improvement, closing the skilled trades gap, and seamlessly integrating the Mahopac Sports Association with school sports programming.
Massafra, who works in marketing for a healthcare company, stressed balancing high-quality education with fiscal responsibility and community engagement.
Savino, who currently serves on the school board and is running for re-election, called for better transparency around district decisions, addressing unfunded mandates, and keeping classrooms politically neutral. "We need to take time to explain. Parents and taxpayers deserve to understand not just what we are doing but why we are doing it," Savino said.
Iacono, a stay-at-home mom and highly engaged community member, prioritized leadership, accountability, and communication, while Potter emphasized rebuilding trust through transparency.
"We have to keep our taxpayers informed so that they trust our decisions, understand where we are coming from, and feel valued and heard," said Potter.
The second question was on using social media to discuss concerns about the school district. Candidates were asked whether or not they had ever brought their grievances to social media, and if so, their reasoning behind it.
The five candidates had mixed views on using social media to discuss school matters. Iacono said she actively uses it to connect with families and hear their concerns. "Yes, I have used social media to express my own grievances. I have also connected with many families through social media," Iacono said.
Furfaro expressed discomfort with posting grievances online, and Potter said he sees and reads information about the school district but does not post. Massafra and Savino acknowledged the value of social media for communication but said they preferred other forms of engagement.
"Social media is here, and this is how people get information, and it also brings people together. I am not an active Facebook user, but I have posted information about this year's budget process. The things I posted were about the budget and how we should have a 0% levy," Massafra said.
All candidates agreed on the importance of supporting students with special needs and maintaining an equal balance between arts and athletics. Iacono and Massafra stressed proper funding and advocacy, while Potter said his family had felt the impact of service gaps in the past. Furfaro and Savino emphasized inclusion and equal opportunities.
Savino said, "It is extremely important to make sure that students have what they need to succeed. That's a part of inclusion. It's not about politics, it's about doing right by the kids. We could always do more to communicate this clearly and honestly... The arts, athletics, and technical training should exist side-by-side."
"I think arts and sports should always be treated as the same. They are both extracurricular activities. I am hearing a lot from the community that parents have to advocate for their child to make sure their children get the support that they need. With a budget of $142 million, we should be able to provide every single thing our special needs children need to succeed," Iacono said.
Curriculum improvement was a shared concern. Massafra and Savino highlighted regaining “blue ribbon” status for the district. Iacono advocated for listening to veteran teachers and incorporating financial literacy. Furfaro emphasized accountability and feedback, and Potter focused on equipping educators with the resources they need.
"We need to bring back the blue ribbon status. Our students have the ability, we just need to give them the tools," said Massafra.
"Bringing back the blue ribbon status and improving our rankings has been the goal since I've been on the school board. Some things are beyond our control, but we can hold people accountable and make sure to properly fund and support our students," said Savino.
"I'm not an expert in curriculum, but you want to be able to hold teachers accountable. You do this by setting transparent goals. Feedback from students is also important. We need some way to figure out if the curriculum is working or not," said Furfaro.
The evening concluded with calls for unity and student-centered leadership. Candidates expressed gratitude for the opportunity to speak and urged the community to participate in the upcoming election on May 20.
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