Editor’s Note: All Evening Sun Staff Writers contributed to this report.
AFTON
The Afton Central School District budget of $15.2 million was approved by residents of the district in a 186 to 58 vote on Tuesday. Also passed was a proposition for two new school buses at a taxpayer cost of approximately $205,000, with a vote of 182 to 62.
Voters also decided who will fill two vacant seats on the school board. Of the five candidates vying for those positions, residents favored Henry Bostelman to fulfill a five-year term, and MaryAnn Palmetier to fill a two-year unexpired term.
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BAINBRIDGE-GUILFORD
With its proposed 1 percent tax levy increase, the $17.98 million passed in a 242-61 vote.
Residents also approved a proposition to borrow an amount not to exceed $284,000 for the replacement of three school buses in a 229-73 vote. An additional proposition to establish a capital reserve fund was also approved, 247 to 52.
On the B-G school board, three candidates – Tina Ammon, Keith Hanvey and Rebecca Sullivan – will fill the three expired terms which were challenged by four candidates.
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EDMESTON
Edmeston Central School District voters approved the district's $10.2 million budget with 118 “yes” votes and 14 “no.”
A resolution was also passed to purchase two school buses with a 118 to14 vote. Another resolution to purchase a four-passenger car was passed, 107 to 25.
Two Board of Education members were re-elected: Susan Gillette (113 votes) and Laura Hawes (116 votes) with 10 write-ins and nine blank ballots.
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GILBERTSVILLE-MOUNT UPTON
Results of the G-MU election held Annual District Meeting showed taxpayers in favor of three propositions including nearly $9 million in spending for the district’s 2015-16 fiscal year, a 1.55 percent budget-to-budget increase over the current year.
The budget was adopted 112 -20, and the district is authorized to spend $8,995,610 in the 2015-2016 school year for the education program of the and to levy the necessary tax.
“Proposition Two” called for the establishment of Capital Reserve Fund and received 117 ayes of the 132 ballots cast. The fund will assist the district in planning for infrastructure upgrades while minimizing the burden on tax payers. The capital reserve fund can be compared to a savings account which can only be used for capital improvements conducted with voter authorization. The funding comes from budget savings and unappropriated fund balances from the general fund. Balances can only be transferred to the capital reserve fund with approval from the Board of Education. In order to accomplish the same, said Board is hereby authorized to establish the ultimate amount of such Reserve Fund not to exceed 500,000, plus accrued interest and other investment earnings thereon, with a probable term often years. The resolution by vote shall take effect immediately and will have no impact on the tax levy. 111 voters supported Board of Education incumbent Larry Smith with another term while newcomer Ethan Eberly secured 116 votes. Both men will sit for one three-year term on the Board of Education commencing July 1, 2015.
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GREENE
Voters in the Greene Central School District turned out in favor of the proposed 2015-2016 budget that will reflect in a nearly one percent decrease in the tax levy. While the district faces its sixth straight year of reductions in school aid, the passed budget of 24,787,407 will keep the levy under the two percent property tax cap for another year.
“By choosing to stay within the allowable levy, and because we have met Property Tax Cup requirements regarding the creation of an efficiency plan, taxpayers will once again see a tax rebate check this fall,” said the Board of Education in a pre-vote message to taxpayers.
Over the past live years, GCS has reduced spending by over 3.2 Million. According to the BOE, those reductions have taxed remaining staff and impacted the level of service the district provides to students, and next years budget is marked by the reinstatement of several previously reduced positions.
Budget 323 ayes were accounted in the 402 ballots cast.
Two vacancies on the Board of Education were filled by Scott Youngs and Brian Milk with 244 and 199 votes in their favor, respectively.
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MORRIS CENTRAL SCHOOL
MCS residents went to the polls in favor of the proposed $9.486 million spending budget for the districts 2015-2016 fiscal year.
The budget was passed 131–23, and will increase spending by less than one percent—decreasing the district tax levy slightly over one percent—thanks to savings in energy costs, the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) contributions and by sharing services with other school districts.
“The board understands that the community values the quality education that the students of Morris receive and want to see that it is maintained. The board also recognizes that many of our community members are struggling financially and that the taxpayers expect the board to remain fiscally conservative. With that in mind, our budgeting process focused on the needs of our students and the expectations of our community.”
Wendy Moore receive the support of 133 voters and will begin her three-year term with the Board of Education beginning July 1.
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NORWICH
