WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. May 18, 2004: White Plains voters passed the 2004-2005 School Budget of $143.8 Million Tuesday with 1,024 voting for and 305 against, a drop of approximately 700 voters in turnout from last year. Michelle Trataros was reelected for a third three-year term to the Board of Education, and Rick Tompkins was voted in for his first three year term. Ms. Trataros was the leading vote-getter with 1,057, Mr. Tompkins polled 946, and Stephen Taft, 494. Totals are "unofficial," and based on raw returns coming in to Education House.

CONNORS FIRST WIN: Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors standing beside the vote totals Tuesday evening. Connors said "The Board of Education and I certainly appreciate the community coming out and supporting the Board of Education. I think it speaks to their support for our teachers and their commitment to their children's education." Photo by WPCNR News

Michelle Trataros, upon being reelected to her third term on the Board of Education said she planned to look hard at the Middle School Curriculum, evaluate the effectiveness of programs  and finalize our curriculum. Rick Tompkins was not present for the posting of the results. Stephen Taft, the defeated Board candidate, asked by WPCNR if he he would run again, said, "Definitely. I'm dissappointed with the low turnout. I'll be back next year. I think I did very well for someone who came in at the last moment. I had to run a very angry campaign because I was attacked from all directions, and so were my children. I intend to follow through on a lot of issues.