By DOUG LAROCQUE
NEW LEBANON–Looking at a nearly 9% hike in the property tax levy and needing a super majority of the votes cast on Tuesday, May 21, the voters in the New Lebanon Central School District overwhelming supported the final budget proposal put forth by the school board. The vote was 310 Yes to 133 against.
When the school board first started to work on their 2024-25 spending plan, there was lots of angst over the state aid numbers put forth by Governor Kathy Hochul in her initial budget proposal. These figures showed the New Lebanon school district actually losing state aid as compared to the current year. That loss combined with a 10% increase in expenses, many contractual and unable to be reduced, had the district looking at massive program and personnel cuts.
The legislature restored the so called “save harmless” part of the education aid formula, which meant the district would receive the same amount of aid as this year, but not a penny more. After a lengthy “do the math” session, the board put forth a proposal that would raise the tax levy by 6.5% and cut four positions – an office secretary, two teacher aides and the IT instructor’s position. Those cuts did not go over well with the public that attended the April school board meeting. They were opposed to the plan, but not because it was too expensive but because they wanted the positions restored. Of primary concern was the loss of the part-time teacher aides, as it would have eliminated any outside recess at the elementary school, and the IT position. The board listened and did some quick figuring to determine what the tax levy would be with these positions back in the budget.
The figure ended up being an 8.9% increase. The board had concerns about that but went along with the public’s request. That tax levy figure would mean the budget would need a “super majority” of the votes cast (60%) to be considered approved. In the end, the board and the district were able to “leave their worries on the doorstep” as the Yes votes far exceeded that number.
The bus purchase proposal also passed by a margin of 322-118. Incumbents William Buckenroth and Michael Brutsch were re-elected to the school board without opposition.
School budget votes pass in all districts
By EMILIA TEASDALE
GHENT—Results from the May 21 school budget votes in the county are in. All budget proposal passed, along with bus purchasing propositions in Ichabod Crane, New Lebanon and Taconic Hills.
There were also school board elections in all districts. In Hudson, two new board members were elected – Amanda Grubler and Matthew Mackerer. And at Ichabod Crane, a write-in candidate, Max DiOrio, will join the board for a 2-year term after a board member Megan Pelizza resigned in early May.
School budget 2024-25 results:
Chatham
Budget: $35,428,551 — 391 yes* to 159 no
Percent increase: 3.07%
Proposed levy: $25,061,334
Levy increase: 2.89%
Board open seats/term length: 2, 3-years
Board candidates:
*Lina Collett – 323
Beth Hover – 234
*Nikki Lundy – 382
Proposition 2: $9.5 million capital reserve — 384 yes* to 161 no
Germantown
Budget: $16,760,146 – 162 yes* to 95 no
Percent increase: -3.05%
Proposed levy: $10,471,675
Levy increase: 1.27%
Board open seats/term length: 2, 4-years
Board candidates:
*Lori Marchisio Crawford – 133
*Michael Pudney – 135
Hudson
Budget: $55,602,026 – 464 yes* to 231 no
Percent increase: 2%
Proposed levy: $25,458,028
Levy increase: 2%
Board open seats/term length: 2, 3-years
Board candidates:
Micaela McClinton – 91
*Amanda Grubler – 382
Daryl Blanks – 300
Selha Graham – 96
*Matthew Mackerer – 430
Write-in – 3
Ichabod Crane
Budget: $50,187,013 – 609 yes* to 307 no
Percent increase: 3.29%
Proposed levy: $27,477,201
Levy increase: 2.95%
Board open seats/term length: 4, 3-years (3), 2-years (1)
Board candidates:
Valerie Spensieri – 630*
Cal Waits – 536*
Anne Schaefer – 616*
Write-in: Max DiOrio – 112* (2 year term)
Prop 2: Vote on bus referendum to purchase 5 buses for a total cost of $665,654. – 601 yes* to 315 no
Prop 3: Student Representative on the Board of Education. 772 yes* to 141 no
New Lebanon
Budget: $14,707,074 – 310 yes* to 133 no
Percent increase: 6.51%
Proposed levy: $9,846,484
Levy increase: 8.91%
Board open seats/term length: 2, 3-years
Board candidates:
*Michael Brutsch
*William Buckenroth
Prop 2: Bus purchase proposition for a total of $284,451. – 322 yes* to 118 no
Taconic Hills
Budget: $40,284,996 – 278 yes* to 87 no
Percent increase: 4.93%
Proposed levy: $25,867,186
Levy increase: 2.99%
Board open seats/term length: 2, 5-years
Board candidates:
Joseph Costa – 244*
Jeanine Earnhart – 291*
Write-in – 11
Prop 2: Funding of Capital Reserve. – 267 yes* to 96 no
Prop 3: Capital Improvement Project – Building & Site Improvements. – 285 yes* to 79 no
Prop 4: Purchase of School Vehicles and Buses. – 273 yes* to 91 no