AUBURN -- It took the Auburn Enlarged City School District Board of Education a mere half-hour to decide what to do about its 2008-09 proposed school budget defeated by voters Tuesday.
In a 7-1 vote, the board opted Wednesday for a re-vote, asking district taxpayers to authorize the original budget proposal of $66,490,371 with a 3.28 percent tax levy increase.
"This budget is fiscally responsible and the tax levy is exactly where it needs to be," board member Michael Stearns said. "This needs to stay right where it is and we have to get out and educate people."
Following a state-mandated timetable, the district will advertise the budget by June 3, hold a public hearing on the budget on June 10 and convene a vote on June 17.
Taxpayers appeared to have defeated the proposed budget Tuesday by a margin of 30 votes - 1,399-1,369 -- with 63 absentee and affidavit ballots left outstanding.
After the paper ballots were counted and the voting machines recanvassed Wednesday, district officials announced the budget had been officially defeated by three votes, 1,414-1,411.
"This budget is fiscally responsible and the tax levy is exactly where it needs to be," board member Michael Stearns said. "This needs to stay right where it is and we have to get out and educate people."
Following a state-mandated timetable, the district will advertise the budget by June 3, hold a public hearing on the budget on June 10 and convene a vote on June 17.
Taxpayers appeared to have defeated the proposed budget Tuesday by a margin of 30 votes - 1,399-1,369 -- with 63 absentee and affidavit ballots left outstanding.
After the paper ballots were counted and the voting machines recanvassed Wednesday, district officials announced the budget had been officially defeated by three votes, 1,414-1,411.
