Voters across Saratoga County approve budget proposals
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Residents of the Saratoga Springs City School District apparently liked what they saw on their ballots Tuesday.
The district’s proposed budget for 2018-19 was approved by voters, along with three other propositions on the ballot.
The $125.9 million budget, which includes a tax-levy increase of 3.93 percent, was approved — 2,327 to 479 — according to the unofficial results.
A proposition to have the district spend about $1.4 million to purchase eight 66-passenger school buses, one 30-passenger bus, one 23-passenger wheelchair bus and one SUV, was approved —2,362 to 534. State aid would reimburse the district for 40 percent of the cost. The district said the new buses are needed to replace aging buses.
By a vote of 2,344 to 475, voters approved the Great Outdoors Capital Project. The $15.6 million project includes outdoor improvements and renovations to the eight school buildings in addition to Gavin Park, East Side Recreation Park and West Side Recreation Park. Approximately 27 percent of the project is expected to be covered by state aid. The remaining $11.4 million would be financed largely through an existing Capital Reserve Fund — essentially a district savings account — and borrowing money. Officials said though the district will be issuing debt, it will merely replace existing debt that is due to expire.
Voters also overwhelmingly approved — 2,362 to 426 — having the district purchase property at 3190 Route 9N for $100,000. The district said the purchase will allow for parking, an improved bus loop and improvements in front of the Greenfield Elementary School.
Voters also elected three people — John Ellis, JoAnne Kiernan, Patricia Morrison — to three-year terms on the Board of Education. Ellis received 1,800 votes, Kiernan garnered 1,719, while Morrison received 1,432. The fourth candidate on the ballot — Steve Grandin — garnered 1,307 votes.
Other unofficial results in Saratoga County included:
Corinth
Corinth Central School District residents approved the proposed 201819 school budget, by a vote of 251-57, a news release said. The $21.8 million budget, a 3.53 percent increase over the current budget, has a tax levy increase of 2.76 percent, which is below the tax cap.
Three candidates were elected to the Board of Education. Arthur Lozier III was re-elected to his seat on the board. He is joined by Cheri Sullivan and Andy Kelley.
Voters also approved the following propositions:
• The purchase of school buses for a total not to exceed $250,000;
• Funding for the Corinth Free Library;
• Creation of a Bus Purchase Reserve Fund.
Voters approved the proposed $21.5 million budget for the Galway Central School District, 261- 127. The budget has a 2.62 percent tax-levy increase.
Voters also approved a proposition to purchase one school bus and two minivans, 273-115.
Joan Slagle was reelected to a four-year term of office on the Board of Education with 308 votes. There was one vacancy and one candidate, the district said.
Shenendehowa
Shenendehowa Central School District residents approved a $173.7 budget proposal, 1,575 to 543. The tax levy increase of 2.92 percent is below the district’s tax cap. The budget will add approximately $54 to the school tax bill for a home with an assessed value of $250,000.
Residents also approved a proposition — with 1,665 voting in favor of it, and 455 against — to purchase 23 vehicles.
The district said Tuesday night that incumbents Robert Pressly — 1,544 votes — and Christina Rajotte — 1,543 votes — were reelected to the Board of Education.
Gusta Miller, a write-in candidate, was elected with 341 write-in votes to serve the two-year term. (The seat is currently held by Bill Casey who will resign as of June 30 with two years remaining on his term).
Ballston Spa
Residents of the Ballston Spa Central School District on Tuesday approved the $91.89 million budget proposal for 2018-19, the district said Tuesday night. The unofficial results have 80 percent of voters approving the budget, the district said. Vote totals were not provided. The budget has a 2.7 tax levy increase, with an estimated average 1 percent tax increase across the district.
In the school board race, as of Tuesday night, Christiane Farnan has received a total of 869 votes, Michael O’Donnell received 774 votes, Jason Fernau received 706 votes and Eric Davenport received 700 votes.
However, the district said the final results will be determined after affidavit votes are verified.
There are three full term (three year) school board seats available this year. Terms commence in July.
All of the additional propositions on the ballot were passed, including the replacement of school vehicles, support for the public library and the local recreation commission, the district said.
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake
By a vote of 1,090 to 389, voters approved the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District’s $68 million budget proposal. The budget carries a 2.9 percent tax levy increase and an estimated 1.98 percent tax rate increase.
David Versocki, who received 1,182 votes, and Lisa M. Morse, who got 1,207 votes, were unopposed for seats on the school board.
Schuylerville
Schuylerville Central School District residents passed a $35.5 million budget for the 2018-19 school year by a vote of 469 to 166 on Tuesday, a news release said.
The 2018-19 budget is 1.98 percent more than the budget for the current school year. It maintains current programs and services and includes funding to create a School Resource Officer position.
“We are grateful to the hundreds of community members who took time to vote today,” said Superintendent Ryan Sherman in the release. “Their support will help us continue to provide quality opportunities, while prioritizing the safety and security of our students.”
Voters elected Robert Thivierge and Matthias Donnelly to the Board of Education. Thivierge had 423 votes and Donnelly had 344 votes. Both will fulfill a five-year term beginning on July 1. Louis Maggiore had 333 votes.
In the Schuylerville Public Library Board of Trustees election, voters elected Katie Brunson, Courtney Sayward and Dennis Kagel with 466, 364, and 354 votes respectively. They will each fulfill a three-year term ending in 2021.
South Glens Falls
On Tuesday, South Glens Falls Central School District residents voted to approve the district’s 2018-19 proposed budget with 579 voting in favor and 144 voting against it. The $56,646,120 spending plan carries a 2.07 percent spending decrease over the current year’s budget.
The proposed 3.20 percent tax levy increase is below the limit set by New York’s tax levy cap law.
Voters approved a $563,625 proposition to purchase two 72-passenger school buses with compartments, two 66-passenger school buses and two 30-passenger school buses, with 565 voting in favor and 159 voting against it.
Voters also approved a proposition to authorize the district’s board of education to reestablish a Capital Reserve Fund, with 568 voting in favor and 149 voting against it.
In addition, voters approved a measure to amend the term of office for one member of the South Glens Falls Central School District Board of Education, for one term only, from a three-year term to a two-year term, effective for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years only.
Two candidates were elected to the board of education. The candidates, who ran unopposed, are John Farrell (558 votes) and Kevin Ostrander (588 votes).
Stillwater
Stillwater residents approved the district’s 201819 proposed budget with 265 voting in favor and 118 voting against it.
The $24,842,337 budget carries a $312,387, or 1.27 percent, spending increase over the current year and a 3.42 percent increase in the tax levy. Final tax rates will be set in August.
By a margin of 271 to 102, voters passed a proposition to establish a capital reserve fund of $100,000 to cover the cost of repairs to the flooring at the elementary school. By a margin of 276 to 103, voters also passed an additional proposition to expend the monies in the capital reserve fund of $100,000.
By a margin of 252 to 128, voters passed a proposition to establish a $750,000 capital reserve fund, which will allow for the future replacement of the turf field.
Residents also elected incumbents Tim Hems and Jon Mueller to the Stillwater Board of Education. They were the only two names on the ballot for three open seats. One additional seat was offered to Paul “Butch” Lilac, who was the write-in candidate with the most votes.
The results are: Jon Mueller (291 votes), Tim Hems (264 votes), Paul “Butch” Lilac (41 votes), and William Brennan (26 votes).
Hems, Mueller and Lilac have accepted their positions and will each serve a three-year term, beginning July 1, and ending June 30, 2021.
By a margin of 275 to 106, residents also approved the Stillwater Public Library’s proposed budget of $269,479.
Mechanicville
Mechanicville City School District voters approved the proposed $27,013,421 budget by a vote of 603 to 248. The budget has a 6.02 percent increase over this year’s budget. There’s a 2.42 percent regular budget tax increase, which falls below the tax cap of 4.8 percent.
Also, voters approved a proposition to purchase school buses, at a maximum aggregate cost of approximately $175,000, by a vote of 621 to 225.
Voters elected two members to the Board of Education for three-year terms. Daniel O’Connor, with 614 votes, and Michael Raucci, with 724 votes, were elected to the school board. Also receiving votes — 306 — was Adelynne Waldie.