The lead image for this article was updated at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6 to display the district logo.
Voters in the Yorktown Central School District will go to the polls Tuesday, May 19, to decide the 2026-27 budget and elect three members to the Board of Education.
Two seats carry full three-year terms from July 1 through June 30, 2029. The third is an unexpired term, created by the resignation of former trustee Jackie Carbone, running from May 20 through June 30, 2027.
The proposed budget is $126,640,000, a 2.88 percent increase from last year’s $123,095,000.
The tax levy would rise 2.38 percent The estimated tax rate increase in Yorktown, which makes up more than 96 percent of the tax base, is 2.11 percent. New Castle and Cortlandt, each representing less than 2 percent of the tax base, are projected to see decreases of 6.90 percent and 9.98 percent, respectively.
A budget hearing is set for May 11 at the Yorktown High School auditorium. A “Meet the Candidates” event will be held Wednesday, May 13, at 7 p.m. in the Mildred E. Strang Middle School cafeteria, 2701 Crompond Rd. Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 19 at French Hill School, 2051 Baldwin Rd.
In ballot order, the candidates are challenger Adam MacDonald and incumbents Michael Magnani, Jacquelyn Guarino and Catalina Tyndal.
Yorktown News offered the candidates an opportunity to address voters and explain, in their own words, their qualifications and what they see as the most pressing issues facing the district.
Please list your career and educational accomplishments. I am a graduate of Mercy College and then went on to earn mymasters degreefrom Iona College. Professionally, I started working in the accounting department at a small law firm and now I am at a top Am Law firm.
What other leadership positions have you held locally? My favorite leadership position I have is being a father of two. I have been a volunteer coach for multiple youth sports for the past six years for both Yorktown Athletic Club as well as for private organizations. I have also volunteered my time as a teen mentor for an organization called AKA, a not for profit organization for Korean Adoptees.
What are the most important issues facing the district and the Board of Education, and why are you the most qualified to address these issues? I feel the three most important issues facing the district are (1) the balance between the rising cost of living while keeping the cost at a minimum to the tax payers, (2) what is the best way to attract and retain the best educators for our students and (3) the speed of technology.
I feel I am qualified for this role because I truly care about the students and their well-being. I will make decisions based on their best interests in compliance with the policies of the Yorktown Board of Education. As a parent of two kids in the district, I feel my calm and analytical demeanor allows me to address these issues. I am able to digest and analyze the information and produce a response that is in the best interest of the students. I have heard from many teachers and administrators that maintaining exceptional teachers can be very difficult. It will be my goal to attract and retain the best possible educators. As for technology and staying afloat with its changes, I will work to keep up with technology and the changes it brings.
Please list your career and educational accomplishments. I am a lifelong resident of Yorktown, a proud father of three Yorktown High School graduates, and my wife Annie and I have three amazing grandchildren who are students in the district. I am a graduate of Lakeland High School, and I have a bachelor’s degree in Economics from SUNY Buffalo. I have spent 36 years in the financial services industry as a Certified Financial Planner, and I am President and Managing Principal of my own firm.
What other leadership positions have you held locally? I have been a YCSD board trustee since 2006, vice president from 2016 to 2024, chair of both the fiscal advisory committee and the facilities steering committee, and a member of the district emergency response team. I also serve on the board of directors at Mahopac Golf and Beach Club. Previously, I served as a trustee for the Yorktown Elks and coached both boys’ and girls’ basketball with the Yorktown Athletic Club.
What are the most important issues facing the district and the Board of Education, and why are you the most qualified to address these issues? Maintaining the safety and security of our students and staff remains our No. 1 priority. Completion of our current bond projects, on time and on budget, is an enormous undertaking that will provide our community with the facilities our students and staff deserve.
Additionally, all NYS districts face a tremendous fiscal challenge integrating state mandates regarding electric buses within the tax cap.
My years of experience as a business owner and board trustee for multiple organizations make me uniquely qualified to provide the stability, leadership, experience, and financial acumen needed to address these challenges and take our district to even greater heights.
Please list your career and educational accomplishments. I graduated from Good Counsel Academy, and I earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Sacred Heart University and a master’s of business administration from Iona University. I also hold a SIFMA certification through the Wharton School of business. I have over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, with a focus on driving efficiencies and delivering strategic solutions. Currently, I work for a leading accounting firm in the technology space.
What other leadership positions have you held locally? I have served as a class parent to my two sons, treasurer and member of SEPTA and a CCD teacher at St. Patrick’s Church in Yorktown. I am currently serving as a proud trustee on the Yorktown Board of Education as well as a member of the AI committee and fiscal committee.
What are the most important issues facing the district and the Board of Education, and why are you the most qualified to address these issues? For me, this question is personal. When I saw my son struggling in school, I took action. I immersed myself in understanding the district, the programs available, and the diverse ways to support student success. Through that experience, I realized how overwhelming it can be for families who do not know where to begin. I want to be a resource and an advocate for others and someone parents can turn to for clarity, support, and direction.
I believe our district’s most pressing priorities are ensuring equitable access to resources, supporting diverse learning needs, maintaining safe schools, and giving teachers the tools they need to help every student succeed. These challenges demand thoughtful, flexible solutions because no two children learn the same way.
I bring over 20 years of problem‑solving experience and a deep personal commitment as a parent and community member. I ask hard questions, challenge assumptions, and stay focused on better outcomes. My goal is to keep Yorktown a safe, inclusive district where every student can thrive and every teacher feels supported.
Please list your career and educational accomplishments. I am a special education teacher (K-5) at Bronxville Elementary School with over 20 years of experience in education. My career has focused on supporting students of all abilities, particularly those who need targeted academic and social-emotional support. I am also a parent of three children in the district and have served as a trustee on the Yorktown Central School District Board of Education for the past three years.
What other leadership positions have you held locally? For the past three years, I have served as a Trustee on the Yorktown Board of Education and am a member of the board’s policy committee. In this role, I have been actively involved in budget development, policy decisions, contract negotiations, and long-term planning. I have worked closely with district leadership while also listening to and representing the voices of families and staff in our community.
What are the most important issues facing the district and the Board of Education, and why are you the most qualified to address these issues? Yorktown’s key priorities include maintaining strong academic programs, supporting students’ social-emotional needs, retaining high-quality teachers, and managing responsible budgets in a challenging financial environment.
During my time on the board, I have supported the passage of responsible, voter-approved budgets, worked through teacher and staff contracts, and helped ensure that students have the support and resources they need to be successful. I have also supported initiatives that expand student opportunities, including the addition of modified sports and universal pre-K, as well as ongoing discussions around facilities planning and evolving curriculum.
As both an educator and a current board member, I bring a well-rounded and practical perspective to decision-making. I understand the realities of the classroom as well as the responsibilities of governance. I am committed to transparency, collaboration, and always keeping students at the center of every decision.
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