Published: May 21, 2009 01:07 pm      

Voters approve school budgets

Staff Report

Budgets for the coming year in area school district were approved by voters Tuesday.

Cooperstown, with a budget proposal of $16.5 million, an increase of 1.9 percent over the current budget, was approved by district residents by an almost three-to-one margin, 312 to 113. The new budget’s tax levy is up 1.2 percent to $9.8 million.

In voting for three board of education seats, Anthony Scalici received 321 votes, Noreen Polus 339 and Mickel Sky- Shrewsbury 304.

Cherry Valley’s $11.5 million budget, an increase of 2.8 percent, was approved by a margin of 214 to 109. The $4.4 million tax levy will rise by .4 percent. Frank McGrath, the only candidate for one opening on the board of education, received 252 votes.

District residents also approved two propositions. The bus purchase was approved 224 to 96 and a fund transfer was approved 253 to 68.

In Milford, district residents approved a budget of $9.3 million _ up less than one-half percent _ by a vote of 265 to 94.

Under the new budget, the tax levy will increase .65 percent. In a race for two seats on the board education, Thomas Brennan received 284, Alicia Fish 296 and Richard Young 151.

Richfield Springs district residents voted 350 to 291 in favor of the new $10.7 million budget, which is an increase of 3.9 percent and will raise the tax levy by 2.9 percent.

In a four-way race for two board of education seats, Nancy Brown received 299 votes, Nancy Clickman 148, Scott Mondore 490 and Bruce Watson 536. Voters also approved a library budget proposition by a margin of 523 to 153.

In Edmeston, the $6.7 million budget proposal was approved by district residents 158 to 16. The budget is an increase of one-half percent over the current spending plan and will not raise the tax levy.

In school board voting, Susan Gelatt ran unopposed for one seat and received 152 votes. In the race for a second seat, Jeremy Robinson received 70 votes and Jody Hawes 96 votes.

Two bus purchase propositions were also passed by wide margins by district residents.