School issues on ballot Tuesday
Budget proposals in all local districts below state tax cap; school board elections, propositions also being voted on
Area residents head to the polls Tuesday to vote on proposed 201920 school budgets, school board candidates and several propositions.
None of the budgets has a property tax levy increase that exceeds the state cap, meaning approval in each district will require only a simple majority of “yes” votes.
Here’s a district-by-district rundown of what’s on the ballots.
Kingston
Budget: $180.1 million, which is 3.3 percent larger than the 201819 spending plan. The tax levy would increase by 1.45 percent.
Proposition: Authorization of a new five-year lease, at an estimated $100,000 per year, for the use of warehouse and maintenance space at 918 Ulster Ave. in the town of Ulster.
School board candidates (for three three-year terms, one twoyear term): Incumbent Suzanne Jordan, incumbent James Michael, appointed incumbent Steve Spicer, Herbert Lamb. Also, Donn Avallone is mounting a write-in campaign.
Voting: 3 to 9 p.m. at Kingston High School, J. Watson Bailey Middle School and M. Clifford Miller Middle School.
Ellenville
Budget: $52.9 million, up 1.95 percent from 2018-19. The tax levy would increase by 1.36 percent.
School board candidates (for three three-year terms): Incumbent Julius Collins, incumbent Jody Little, Thomas Maerling,
Geneva May, Natasha Mele.
Voting: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Ellenville High School.
Highland
Budget: $44.4 million, down 1.9 percent from 2018-19. The tax levy would increase by 1.12 percent.
Proposition: Spending $450,246 for three 30-passenger buses, two sevenpassenger vans and two wheelchair-accessible vans.
School board candidates (for two three-year terms): Incumbents Susan Gilmore
and Thomas Miller.
Voting: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Highland High School.
New Paltz
Budget: $63.6 million, up 3 percent from 2018-19. The tax levy would rise by 3.98 percent.
School board candidates (for two three-year terms): Bianca Tanis and incumbent Sophie Skiles.
Voting: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at New Paltz High School.
Onteora
Budget: $57.4 million, up 3.3 percent from 201819. The tax levy would rise by 2.95 percent.
Proposition: Spending
$6.2 million from a capital reserve account for handicapped accessibility improvements in district buildings, roof repairs at Bennett Elementary School and improvements to the high school’s field hockey/ baseball field.
School board candidates (for two three-year terms): Dafine DeJesus and incumbent Kevin Salem.
Voting: 2 to 9 p.m. at the three elementary schools.
Red Hook
Budget: $53.3 million, down 1.1 percent from 201819. The tax levy would rise by 2.61 percent.
Proposition: Spending
$330,000 to buy two 65-passenger buses and two 20-passenger vans.
Proposition: $162,400 Red Hook Public Library tax levy, an increase of $16,400.
Proposition: $81,600 Tivoli Free Library tax levy, an increase of $1,600.
Proposition: Allowing a Red Hook High School student to continue serving as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the school board.
School board candidates (for two three-year terms): Incumbents Johanna Moore and Maggie Rothwell.
Voting: Noon to 9 p.m.
at Mill Road Elementary School.
Rhinebeck
Budget: $35 million, up 3.2 percent from 2018-19. The tax levy would rise by 3.63 percent.
School board candidates (for three three-year terms): Incumbent Steve Jenkins, Jacqueline Raccuia and Matthew Van Wormer.
Voting: 2 to 9 p.m. at Rhinebeck Middle School.
Rondout Valley
Budget: $65.7 million, up 1.6 percent from 201819. The tax levy would rise by 2.73 percent.
School board candidates
(for three three-year terms): Andrew Casey, incumbent Elissa Jury, Christopher DePew and incumbent Dawn Van Kleeck.
Voting: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the district office, 122 Kyserike Road, Accord.
Saugerties
Budget: $65.3 million, up 2.07 percent from 2018-19. The tax levy would rise by 2.67 percent.
School board candidates (for three three-year terms): Katie Emerson-Hoss, Elena Maskell and Paul VanSchaack, all incumbents.
Voting: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the four elementary schools.