Voters in Southern Cayuga and Jordan-Elbridge defeated their school budgets - one by only 35 votes and the other by more than 200.
“I think it's a reflection of the economy,” said Southern Cayuga Central School District Superintendent Mary Kay Worth, after voters in that district defeated the budget 413-378. “It's just the general trend in the economy. People are very worried about their taxes going up.”
Worth said that the voting history in her district is typically close, and that the turnout of 829 voters was within the typical range; last year's budget drew about 700 voters.
Southern Cayuga's proposed budget of $16,448,192 was an increase of 3.37 percent with an estimated tax levy of $6,787,520 or a 5.24 percent increase.
While the district could go straight to a contingency budget, Worth said, Southern Cayuga's school board voted not to do that. Instead it will prepare another budget, which by law has to be proposed in June.
“We did an exit poll,” Worth said. “We'll make some adjustments and see what happens then. If it's defeated again, it will automatically go to contingency.”
While they defeated the budget, voters in Southern Cayuga agreed that the district should buy new school buses at a cost not to exceed $389,118.
Jordan-Elbridge Central School District Superintendent Marilyn Dominick said that confusion between Tuesday's vote and an upcoming vote on a capital project may have played a part in the defeat of the budget there.
District taxpayers will be asked June 10 to decide on three separate propositions. The district is seeking approval to authorize a $28.9 million capitol project for renovations concerning instruction, athletics, infrastructure and drainage.
In addition to the budget, voters, again by a 200-vote margin, defeated a proposition to purchase land.
Dominick called the 667-462 defeat of the budget “bad news” and said the school board, already scheduled to hold a regular meeting Wednesday night, would have to decide what to do.
“We've not lost a budget in a long, long time,” she said.
Worth said that the voting history in her district is typically close, and that the turnout of 829 voters was within the typical range; last year's budget drew about 700 voters.
Southern Cayuga's proposed budget of $16,448,192 was an increase of 3.37 percent with an estimated tax levy of $6,787,520 or a 5.24 percent increase.
While the district could go straight to a contingency budget, Worth said, Southern Cayuga's school board voted not to do that. Instead it will prepare another budget, which by law has to be proposed in June.
“We did an exit poll,” Worth said. “We'll make some adjustments and see what happens then. If it's defeated again, it will automatically go to contingency.”
While they defeated the budget, voters in Southern Cayuga agreed that the district should buy new school buses at a cost not to exceed $389,118.
Jordan-Elbridge Central School District Superintendent Marilyn Dominick said that confusion between Tuesday's vote and an upcoming vote on a capital project may have played a part in the defeat of the budget there.
District taxpayers will be asked June 10 to decide on three separate propositions. The district is seeking approval to authorize a $28.9 million capitol project for renovations concerning instruction, athletics, infrastructure and drainage.
In addition to the budget, voters, again by a 200-vote margin, defeated a proposition to purchase land.
Dominick called the 667-462 defeat of the budget “bad news” and said the school board, already scheduled to hold a regular meeting Wednesday night, would have to decide what to do.
“We've not lost a budget in a long, long time,” she said.
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are 1 comment(s)
voter wrote on May 27, 2008 11:28 PM: