MCSD News Update

A Letter From the Superintendent of Schools

Mahopac CSD

March 17, 2025

Dear Mahopac Community,

The primary focus of the Mahopac administration and Board of Education is our students. We prioritize their safety, well-being, academic growth and future readiness. Every decision made revolves around one core question: what is in the best interest of our students? 

I am incredibly proud to serve as the superintendent of the Mahopac Central School District and to witness our students excel both academically and in extracurricular activities. As a community, we have much to celebrate. I am deeply grateful to our dedicated educators, administrators and support staff, and my goal is to continue attracting the best talent to our District so that we can all work together to further the success of Mahopac’s students. 

I write to you today in response to the recent guest column opinion letter in the Mahopac News written by the former Board of Education President Jonathan Schneider regarding his time on the Board. I respect Jonathan’s service to the District as well as his service to our country and acknowledge his concerns. His leadership, especially in pushing for tax exemptions for Veterans and other deserving community members, has undoubtedly benefited Mahopac. It is never the District’s intention to respond to or perpetuate the opinions of others but it becomes incumbent on the District to set the record straight when misinformation has been shared with the public. In the spirit of transparency, I would like to address some of the concerns raised in his opinion letter by providing greater context and clarity. 

Transparency and Financial Oversight 

Across New York State, school districts are in the midst of developing their 2025-2026 budgets. This process, which unfolds over several months, culminates in the Board’s adoption of the budget in April. I work closely with our administrative team to develop the budget with a focus on student needs. At the March 11 BOE Finance Sub-Committee meeting, a tentative budget was proposed, which includes a 2.15% increase (the lowest in four years) and a 1.95% tax levy increase (below the allowable limit and the lowest in five years). This tentative information will be discussed with the entire Board at the March 20 work session and the March 25 Board meeting, which are open to the public, live-streamed and recorded. The suggestion that the administration or Board leadership purposefully obstructed these discussions is inaccurate. We value robust dialogue around budgeting, and I will continue to work with our Board to ensure that our financial processes meet the highest standards of transparency. 

It is important to note that the District adheres to all required budgeting and financial reporting procedures. We understand the importance of fiscal responsibility and far from being kept in the dark, the Board is provided with the financial information it needs to make informed decisions. In addition, this information is available to the public on the District’s website under the Budget tab. After the Board adopts the budget annually in April, every district in New York State is required to make a budget statement available to the public and we post it on our website. Prior to the budget vote in May, every district must hold a public hearing to provide detailed information to help the public make an informed decision. Our public hearing is scheduled for May 6 at 7 p.m. 

Board of Education  

The role of a Board member is not always easy. Board members spend time away from their families and personal lives as public volunteers because they want to see our District provide the best opportunities for our students. While they may not always agree, my responsibility as superintendent is to provide well-reasoned recommendations that comply with policy and law. The Board’s role is to accept, reject, or amend those recommendations through respectful, evidence-based discussions. I am grateful for their dedication to our District, as well as their valuable suggestions and thoughtful consideration of all items brought forward for their review. Due to Mr. Schneider’s premature resignation, the Board now has eight members. At the March 20 work session, the Board will discuss next steps for filling the vacant seat. 

As we approach the upcoming school board election, we encourage all community members who care deeply about the future of our schools and our students to be involved. Attend meetings, participate in school events and please consider running for one of the open Board of Education seats. Your involvement will help shape the direction of our District. Additionally, please mark your calendar for the vote on the proposed school budget on May 20. It is crucial that we all work together to support the continued success of our schools. Further information on the petition process for Board candidates and voting dates are available on the District Clerk webpage. 

Please find additional information that you may find helpful in providing context and clarity to Mr. Schneider’s statements: 

I remain fully committed to serving the students, staff and community of the Mahopac Central School District as superintendent. I am proud of the progress we’ve made over the past three years and look forward to continuing to provide the best possible education and opportunities for every student. While there is always more work to be done, I look forward to accomplishing it in collaboration with our staff, community and the current and future members of the Board of Education. 

I’m grateful for all of the support we continue to receive from students, staff, parents and community members and for their partnership in celebrating all of the great things we accomplish every day here in Mahopac. Together, and according to our District Mission Statement, we will ensure that the students of Mahopac become educated, upstanding citizens with practical life skills through rigorous preparation for the real world.

Sincerely,

Christine Tona

Superintendent of Schools