Elmsford Schools Referendum Overwhelmingly Rejected

ELMSFORD, N.Y. — The Elmsford school district's capital plan was overwhelmingly turned down by voters Wednesday, with 468 people voting against the plan to consolidate students into Alice E. Grady Elementary School and close Carl L. Dixson Primary School.

On a vote of 468 to 115, Elmsford Union Free School District residents rejected a $21 million plan to expand Alice E. Grady Elementary School and close Carl L. Dixson Primary School.
Photo Credit: *File*

by Samantha Kramer

12/13/2012 12:01 a.m.

A total of 583 people voted, said school district Clerk Diane Caperna. The $21 million plan would have renovated and expanded Grady, raising school district taxes by about $340 per year.

The capital plan was turned down despite receiving the support of Elmsford Mayor Robert Williams. The village planned to buy the Dixson building and turn it into a combined village hall, police headquarters and senior community center, which would have relieved the tax burden from the Grady construction costs, Williams said.

Elmsford school board President Matthew Evans said the overwhelming defeat means the board will look for a new way to address facility issues in the district.

"When you look at a vote like that, the board needs to revisit, look at and listen to figure out where we go from here," Evans said.

Evans added that the board hasn't had the opportunity to fully digest the results, and will have to look into how it will fix the schools' structural issues.

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