For the first time in four years, there was an increase in voter turnout for the Peekskill City School District election, which took place this year on Tuesday, May 20. 

Of the 14,558 eligible voters, 455 people (3.1 percent) came to the polls to pass the $131.7 million budget and select three candidates out of four to sit on the Peekskill Board of Education.

Only one proposition was voted on: the school district’s proposed 2025-2026 budget of $131,740,528. It passed with 368 votes in favor (81 percent) and 87 opposing (19 percent).

There were four candidates vying for three open seats on the board, including incumbent Jillian Villon, Frank Robinson Jr., Mary Angel Flores, and Hilda Kinga Portik-Gumbs.

Elected on the board was Flores with 344 votes, incumbent Villon with 310 votes, and Robinson, Jr. with 296 votes. Portik-Gumbs, who was not elected, received 268 votes. There were also six votes for write-in candidates.

In a statement to the Peekskill Herald, Flores said she was honored to have been elected and was impressed with the “incredible” slate of candidates she ran alongside with.

“I look forward to formally joining the Board and getting to work with Dr. Mauricio and his team on behalf of all Peekskill students and parents,” Flores said. “The next few years will likely be filled with many challenges, all of which will also be opportunities for us as a district and community if we are prepared to act accordingly.”

She continued, “I am eager to push myself and my Board colleagues to be bold to make the most of any and all opportunities we are afforded. Our kids and our community deserve nothing less.”

In a statement to the Herald, Villon said she was honored to continue to receive the support of the Peekskill community and thanked everyone who voted, her fellow candidates who took on the call to run, and the PTO for hosting the candidates forum last week.

“I am always humbled that I have been entrusted with such an important role in shaping the future for our students and community and I hope to serve the community well, always putting children at the forefront in decision making,” Villon said. “Peekskill is such an amazing place and I am so blessed that it is the community I was raised and shaped by and I am grateful to be able to raise my sons here.”

She continued, “I can’t thank this community enough for the trust you bestow on every member of the board. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to see what our kids can do!”

In a statement to the Herald, Robinson Jr. thanked voters for entrusting him with the honor of serving on the Peekskill City School Board.

“As a proud parent of two Peekskill students, I’m deeply invested in ensuring our schools remain a place where every child—regardless of their needs or background—can thrive with access to top-notch resources that spark their interests and help them reach their full potential,” Robinson Jr. said.

He continued, “I remain committed to listening to and collaborating with all stakeholders to address our challenges and build on our strengths. Together, we can continue the work of making Peekskill schools the best they can be. Thank you again for this amazing opportunity.”

In a statement to the Herald, Portik-Gumbs wished the newly elected candidates the best in their work.

“It was a great experience and I am thankful for all the people who came out to vote,” Portik-Gumbs said. “I wish the newly elected board members a successful term and my continuous request for the board is to keep the children at the center in every decision they make. May God bless them in their work.”

Prior to the recent election, there was a downward trend in voter turnout beginning in 2022. In 2024, about 3.05 percent of eligible voters came to the polls. On Tuesday, more than 3.1 percent of eligible voters turned out.