“Kids First” ticket wins in Suffern School Board election

The Suffern School Board election has been decided in favor of the newly-launched “Kids First” ticket. All three candidates from the new line won Tuesday night: longtime educator and former RCC Foundation leader Don Cairns, former Ramapo town finance official and whistleblower Melissa Reimer, and former NYC Detective Angus MacKenzie comprise the slate.

Buoyed by endorsements from many political leaders within the school district and public discontent over the the dismissal of a beloved coach with little explanation, the triumvirate joined forces to unseat sitting School Board President Therese DiFalco.

Only four candidates were running for three open seats.

School budget votes coincided with school district board elections. In Rockland County, only East Ramapoans voted against their proposed budget.

North Rockland School District the tax levy will rise 4.9 percent in the 2018-19 budget, second most in Rockland and Westchester counties. Overall spending in the district will go up only 3.02 percent.  A disparity in tax rates and budget increases generally indicates loss of reimbursements or loss of a major taxpayer.