Staff Report

Local school districts are once again faced with uncertainty due to the lack of a state budget as they hold their annual budget hearings ahead of the Tuesday, May 19 school budget votes which will decide district budget proposals, school board candidates, bus purchases and other propositions.

Charlotte Valley Central

The budget hearing at Charlotte Valley Central School was held May 5. The proposed budget totals $13,263,039, an increase of 3.98 percent over the current budget. It projects a 3.53 percent increase in the tax levy which allows it to remain under the allowable tax cap. 

The district is also asking voters to approve the purchase of one 66-passenger diesel-fueled school bus, the cost not to exceed $190,000, paid through appropriations.

Voters will decide two three-year trustees at large, school board seats, with the terms of Rebecca Garrison and Jeff Vroman expiring. Both incumbents are on the ballot, seeking re-election to their respective seats.

The proposed budget maintains all of the required programs and continues to expand opportunities to prepare students for success beyond high school. Through the district's dual enrollment offerings, students can earn more than 30 college-level credits. It allows them to continue the financial literacy, business eduction and driver eduction programs to help equip students with life skills.

The May 19 voting will take place from noon to 8 p.m. in the school cafeteria.

Jefferson

 Jefferson Central School held its budget hearing on May 12. The budget totals $8,307,303, up $189,483, or 2.33 percent over the current budget. It remains within the district's allowable tax cap with an increase in the tax levy of 2.59 percent.

District voters will decide on the purchase of one 64-passenger diesel-fueled bus, the cots not to exceed $168,089.

Incumbent school board member Marc Lawrence, seeks election to a five-year term on the school's board of education.

According to the budget newsletter, the proposed budget maintains current services and programming for the students. There is a continued focus on finding efficiencies and savings to contend with rising costs and building aid from a capital project helps the revenues.

South Kortright

Voting will take place May 19 from noon to 8 p.m. in the school library lobby.

The budget hearing at South Kortright Central School was held May 12. The budget proposal totals $11,964,147, up 2.74 percent over the current budget and is projecting a 1.71 percent increase in the tax levy.

Voters will also be asked to approved the purchase of one 65-passenger diesel-fueled school bus, the cost not to exceed $180,000.

Proposition 3 is to establish a capital reserve fund known as the bus reserve fund in the amount of $1 million for the next 10 years and will be funded from excess fund balance, tax levy and transportation aid.

There will be an election for three members of the board of education, one for a five-year term for the expiring seat of Brian Dengler, one three-year terms to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Terrie Chichester and one two-year term to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mary McMullen. Candidates shall run at-large and not for a specific seat or term. The candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be awarded the longest  available terms. This year's candidates include Janet Beken-Smith, John T. Dropp an Michael O'Connor. Their biographies are avialable on the school website.

Voting takes place from noon to 8 p.m at the school.

Stamford Central

The annual budget hearing at Stamford Central School took place on May 12. The proposed budget totals $11,763,564, up  $214,689 from the current budget, a 1.86 percent increase. The budget stays with the tax cap and projects a 2.58 percent increase in the tax levy.

All academic programs, interscholastic sports, extra-curricular programming, and safe, updated facilities  are intact. According to the budget newsletter, the budget focuses on student and staff program continuity and long-term financial sustainability.

Voting will take place May 19 from noon to 8 p.m. in Room 113.

In addition to the proposed budget, district voters will be asked to decide on the purchase of a 65-passenger, diesel-fueled school bus, the cots not to exceed $183,600, the funds to be  used from a perviously establish bus reserve fund and/or an unappropriated fund balance.

Voters are asked to elect two board of education members to a three-year term. Incumbent board members Lucas Flachs and Megan Buel will appear on the ballot, seeking re-election to the board.

Gilboa-Conesville

Gilboa-Conesville Central School is proposing a $13,390,303 budget, which is up 4.05 percent over the current spending plan. It remains within the allowable tax cap and projects a 3.28 percent increase in th tax levy.

Voters will be asked to decide on the purchase of one 60-passenger diesel-fueled bus, the cost not to exceed $181,534 and one Chevy Suburban, the cost not to exceed $69,300.

There is one five-year school board seat expiring. Incumbent member Jacqueline McGuire is seeking re-election and is challenged by Aurora Zinck-Cornell.

Voting on May 19 will take place from noon until 8 p.m. in the school gymnasium lobby.