Key Dates in Pearl River Schools Vote Approaching

Petitions put candidates or issues on the Pearl River School District Ballot for 2012 are due to District Clerk Mary Flanagan by 5 p.m. today.

This is just the first of the key dates leading up to the 2012-13 budget vote and board of education election Tuesday, May 15 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Pearl River High School's Pirate Cove.

Other items of note over the next month are as follows:

• Tuesday, April 24 -- BOCES Administrative Budget Vote. This will be part of a board of education meeting 7:30 p.m. in the PRSD Administration Building.
• Tuesday, May 1 -- Public Budget Hearing. This will be part of a board of education meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the PRSD Administration Building. 
• Sunday, May 6 -- Voter registration deadline.
• Tuesday, May 8 -- Board of Education Candidates Night, 7:30 p.m. in the PRSD Administration Building.

There are three candidates already set to be on the May 15 ballot for two seats on the board of education. Patrice Carrieri turned in her petition earlier this month to run against incumbents Bruce Bond and Jackie Curtiss. 

The only other item currently on the ballot is the 2012-13 budget as proposed March 20 with a 2.97% tax increase for homeowners and a 2.15% tax levy increase.

Citizen-initiated petititions to place items on the ballot are due by 5 p.m. today and must have at least 93 signatures from eligible voters in the Pearl River School District. Board of Education candidate ballots require a minimum of 37 signatures. 

The last day to register to vote in the Pearl River School District is May 6. To check registration status or to register to vote, contact Mary Flanagan at flanaganm@pearlriver.org or (845) 620-3924.

Residents must provide photo identification and proof of residence to register. 

Those who registered but have not voted in a general or school election since 2007 must re-register. Those who have moved, even if it is from one address in the district to another, must also re-register.

Requirements to be eligible to vote in the district May 15 are:

• 18 years of age or older as of May 15.
• Citizen of the United States
• Resident of the Pearl River School District for at least 30 days prior to May 15.