CROSS RIVER, N.Y. - The Katonah-Lewisboro School District community goes to the polls this month to render judgment on next year’s spending and fill three open school board seats.
On the ballot will be a proposed $131.8 million budget, two other spending questions and the names of five candidates for the three vacant trustee positions. Voting will take place at the district’s three elementary schools - Katonah, Increase Miller and Meadow Pond - on May 19, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
At $131,816,402, the next academic year’s proposed budget is tax-cap-compliant despite a 3.46 percent increase over current spending and 3.72 percent hike in the tax levy.
Keeping below the cap’s spending limit required belt-tightening, including cutting the equivalent of 11 full-time staffers. “Developing a budget within the tax-levy cap was particularly challenging this year, given a nearly $1.77 million decrease in state funding over the past two years and an approximate $3.5 million increase in employee benefit costs for 2026–27,” Superintendent Ray Blanch said.
“We carefully reviewed staffing in relation to enrollment,” he said, “with a focus on maintaining target class sizes and preserving existing programs. To stay within the cap, reductions were necessary and were achieved primarily through attrition, including not replacing retiring or departing staff.”
Full details of the budget, both the overview and fine print, are available on KLSD’s website, klschools.org. Click on “Budget” on the home page. A public hearing on the spending was scheduled for 7 tonight, May 7, at the school board meeting in the John Jay High School library. In addition, PTO-sponsored Q&A sessions with Blanch will be held at 7 p.m., May 12, in the high school theater and 9:30 in the morning, May 14, in KLSD’s district office behind the high school.
PROPOSITIONS
While the budget is Proposition 1 on the ballot, two other spending questions will be submitted for district residents’ consideration.
Prop 2 would authorize the use of funds, already on-hand, that are earmarked for improvements to athletic fields and track.
Prop 3 would authorize a $24.5 million bond to finance renovations at the former Lewisboro Elementary School. The building, not used as a school facility in more than a decade, would be refurbished to accommodate a universal pre-kindergarten program.
“Over the past six years, Board of Education committees, including finance experts and community members, have evaluated options for Lewisboro Elementary School,” Blanch said. “The board chose to retain the property, recognizing that a sale would offer only a short-term benefit while limiting future flexibility, and that replacing such land in this area would be cost-prohibitive.”
Universal Pre-K could become a requirement in 2028 under a mandate included in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget. Albany lawmakers, who blew past the budget’s April 1 deadline, were still negotiating a final measure as last month drew to a close. But the Pre-K mandate was expected to survive the wrangling and gain approval.
If the mandate does become a reality, it will present “both a challenge and an opportunity,” Blanch said, noting that “districts will be required to provide a Pre-K seat for every eligible child, and our current elementary schools do not have the space to meet that demand.”
The superintendent said LES could be “thoughtfully repurposed” to address two goals. “Investing in a KLSD Pre-K and Community Center allows us to address both needs: expanding access to early childhood education while creating a shared, flexible resource that benefits the broader community for years to come.”
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Choosing among five candidates, voters will fill three vacancies on the Board of Education, KLSD’s seven-member policymaking body.
Two of the seats are held by trustees whose three-year terms end June 30 while the third vacancy was created by a trustee’s resignation with two years remaining in his term. Incumbents Lorraine Gallagher, the board president, and Bill Swertfager join Nancy Bachana, Melissa Lynn Dilmaghani and Stacey Isaacson in competing to fill the openings.
The top two vote-getters will begin serving three-year terms on July 1; the third highest candidate will assume former-trustee Jon Poffenberger’s seat immediately and serve his final two years, ending June 30, 2028.
The Katonah-Lewisboro Times asked candidates to provide brief statements to help voters in making their choices.
NANCY BACHANA
I’m a Katonah resident and parent to Zachary, who’s found his home in the JJMS theater program. I’m a partner in a deeply school-connected household - my husband is “Coach Joe” for track and field at JJHS.
My family chose KLSD three years ago for its strong schools and supportive community - and it’s been the right decision for our child. And I have the benefit of a comparison, as our two older children went through NYC public schools.
My volunteer life has included five years as chair of the Wellness Committee at PS9 (NYC) where I led community-building and fundraising programs. Ask me about Groovy Night! I also served as Assistant Cubmaster to BSA Pack 777.
My work is in local history – I’m Museum Educator at the Delaware & Hudson Canal Museum near Kingston, N.Y. There I design hands-on learning materials and experiences for young visitors, aligned with New York State standards.
Before that I spent 10 years at NYC Department of Transportation where responsible stewardship of public facilities and services was my daily commitment. I’d bring that same commitment to tough choices at the BOE.
Learn more about me at my Facebook page, @Nancy Bachana for KLSD. Email nancy4boe@gmail.com to connect!
MELISSA LYNN DILMAGHANI
I have lived in Katonah with my husband and two boys (10 and 13) for over 13 years, running a retail business downtown for more than a decade. Through my storefront, volunteer work and leadership roles as Vice President and Events Chair of the Katonah Chamber of Commerce, I’ve worked tirelessly to foster connection, support local families and businesses and create meaningful community experiences. I’ve continued this work as a co-founder of Inclusive Initiative, raising awareness, fostering connections, and providing support for neurodivergent individuals through community education, events and partnerships.
In 2025, I earned my master’s in education, and I am close to completing my NYS Teacher Certification, which has kept me up to date on current educational considerations.
I bring a broad, balanced perspective on our district’s strengths and areas that warrant growth and support, as my children’s educational journeys have not been straightforward. I have actively participated in KLSD SEPTO meetings for years, eager to assist others with issues or ideas, whether our situations were similar or different.
I am running to bring a unique perspective to the Board of Education, grounded in fiscal responsibility, transparency and an unwavering commitment to strong outcomes for all students.
LORRAINE GALLAGHER
I am running for re-election to the KLSD Board of Education because I believe deeply in public education and ensuring every student is supported, challenged and prepared for success. I want to build on our progress and continue advancing KLSD’s Vision 2030 with steady, accountable leadership.
I live in Pound Ridge with my husband and our three children, proud graduates of John Jay. My experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the role our schools play in shaping students and the broader community. As a lawyer, I bring careful decisionmaking, accountability and longterm planning to my work on behalf of the district.
I was elected to the board in 2023, served as Vice President from 2024–2025, and am honored to currently serve as Board President. I have also been an active community volunteer for many years, including serving as President of the Booster Club.
I have focused on strengthening communication and trust, improving literacy instruction, enhancing special education programs, prioritizing student and staff safety through a comprehensive security audit and working collaboratively to develop Vision 2030. I remain committed to sound fiscal stewardship, listening, collaboration and ensuring an exceptional public education for every KLSD student.
STACY ISAACSON
I believe that education enables opportunities. Providing our children with multiple perspectives and equity in access to learning is vital. Ensuring that every student feels they belong and that no one is marginalized is a priority.
I listen carefully, research thoroughly, and collaborate with empathy and an open mind. I’ve worked within community and education spheres for the past 20 years, giving me breadth and depth of knowledge in both areas. I’ve served as a classroom teacher, created and operated a mom-and-pop business and helped launch a groundbreaking new high school in NYC, giving me an entrepreneurial spirit with experience in large bureaucratic organizations.
A born and raised New Yorker, I have lived in Katonah with my husband, Ron, and children Ben (11th grade at JJHS) and Eliza (8th grade at JJMS) since early 2022. We specifically chose Katonah as our home because of the schools and the community, and it has given us everything we imagined.
I believe that the combination of my skills and background makes me uniquely qualified to bring a new point of view to our Board oƒ Education, and I invite you to visit StaceyForKLSD.com to learn more about my experience and values.
BILL SWERTFAGER
I have lived in this district for 43 years with my wife, Diane, and our children, John, Mark and Theresa, all of whom went through our schools and now live and work locally. We believe strongly in public education and in KLSD.
Three years ago, when I first ran for the Board of Education, I committed to showing up, listening and making a meaningful impact. Today, I’m proud to say that, together with a dedicated board, outstanding educators and an engaged community, we have delivered real progress.
We strengthened leadership by hiring Superintendent Dr. Ray Blanch. We enhanced special education to improve organization, accountability and outcomes, and prioritized literacy by embracing the science of reading to build a strong foundation for every student.
Through collaboration, we developed Vision 2030: Empowering All to guide our work, while improving communication and transparency across the district.
As Chair of the Finance Committee, I’ve focused on fiscal responsibility—staying under the tax cap, securing a no-cost solar energy contract and planning for long-term stability.
We’ve delivered on facilities, safety and sustainability, while investing in our educators.
I’m running for re-election to continue this progress and keep moving our district forward. Thank you.
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