Apr. 11, 2012:  William "Bill" Rizzo announced on April 2 his candidacy for a seat on the Bronxville School Board of Education against the seat being vacated by current board member Richard Rugani, whose term expires on June 30, 2012. The two candidates nominated by the Bronxville Non-Partisan Committee (NPC) are Chris Atayan, an incumbent who is running for reelection, and Jeffrey Rohr.  By announcing his candidacy to fill the seat being vacated by Richard Rugani, Rizzo ensures a contested election against Jeffrey Rohr, who is also running to fill that seat.

Also announcing his candidacy for the school board is Kurt Fuchs, who will be covered in an article next week by MyhometownBronxville.  This marks the first time in ten years that the Bronxville Non-Partisan candidates will run with opposition.  In 2002, Richard Dresdale ran against NPC candidate Peter Stace and won.

According the NPC chairman, Bob Galbraith, to run against the NPC candidates, a nominating petition must be submitted to the clerk of the Union Free School District Number Three--Bronxville by April 16, 2012, by each candidate who intends to run for the office of trustee.  The nominating petition must be signed by at least 25 qualified voters living in the Union Free School District Number Three.

In an interview conducted by this reporter, Bill Rizzo stated that he felt his perspectives as a taxpayer, a municipal finance professional, a lifelong village resident, and a parent with three children in The Bronxville School and a fourth to enroll in 2013 make him a strong advocate for the school in the community.

"I was disappointed not to be nominated by the Non-Partisan Committee," he said, "but after that process I talked with many village residents who expressed support for my candidacy.  Now that my intentions are known, I've received even more support and positive feedback."

"I have a deep desire to serve," Rizzo stated.  "I became interested in the board of education when my children entered school."  He noted that, if elected, he would be the only board member with a child in each of the three schools.

Although Rizzo sees The Bronxville School at a crossroads with vital issues that must be addressed, he understands the difficulty the district has experienced in dealing with a complicated economic climate, the 2% tax cap, and unfunded mandates imposed on school districts by New York State.

Decreasing revenues, increasing expenses, and an aging infrastructure all point to challenges facing the board of education.  "The board needs to continue to seek ways to hold the budgetary line without sacrificing the programs, facilities, and standards that make The Bronxville School an excellent institution," Rizzo said.  He commended the current board and the administration for their effective work in adhering to the tax cap and looking for ways to reduce expenses.

Rizzo cited flood mitigation and the renovation of the school auditorium as two priorities.  "The need for the auditorium speaks for itself," he said, noting that the balcony is effectively condemned.  "We're in a fortunate market in Bronxville.  We have strong credit, and interest rates are at historic lows.  The timing for such a project couldn't be better."

Rizzo brings a strong sixteen-year background in municipal finance to his candidacy.  He is a managing director at National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation, based in Armonk.  He noted that, in his professional career, he has worked with hundreds of municipalities across the country in addressing the same issues facing The Bronxville School.

Also an attorney, Rizzo was general counsel of the Municipal and Infrastructure Assurance Corporation and is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and the National Federation of Municipal Analysts.  He earned an AB in government from Georgetown University and a JD from Fordham University School of Law.

"I am confident that with my assistance the board of education can navigate a course that allows The Bronxville School to remain true to its core mission of educational excellence while carefully managing our responsibility to the taxpayers," Rizzo said.

The annual school budget vote and school board trustee election will be held on Tuesday, May 15.

Pictured here:  Bill Rizzo, who announced his candidacy for Bronxville School board trustee on April 2.

Photo by N. Bower