Voters approved Shenendehowa Central School District’s $146 million 2008-2009 budget Tuesday, May 20.
Voters accepted the budget by a vote of 2,615 to 2,304.
Passing this budget helps us maintain the positive momentum and support that we have worked hard to earn over the last several years, said Board President Bill Casey. `Every vote is a nerve-wracking process, and we view the majority support with cautious optimism, especially given the trying economic times we are facing.`
The budget, which offered the district’s lowest spending increase in several years, carries a 3.69 percent tax increase.
`I know they [the board] work hard to balance the budget with trying economic times and quality programming,` said Ron Coleman, 42, of Halfmoon, who voted in favor of the budget.
Spending is up 5.93 percent from last year’s voter-approved budget.
The district reduced the budget by $1.5 million from its initial draft, according to the board.
While all of last year’s programs are included in the final budget, the budget also adds a multi-year phase in the form of a Freshman Seminar Model, which will provide transitional activities to students entering ninth grade.
The budget also provides for the restructuring of the Languages Other Than English program at the middle school, expansion of the sixth-grade technology program, a new Math and Science Technology Academy for high school students and the formation of a District Instructional Technology Integration Committee.
The average tax impact on homeowners is $93, ranging from $61 in Stillwater to $167 in Waterford. Figures are based on homes assessed at $100,000. The actual tax impact will not be available until August.
The district serves students in the towns of Clifton Park, Halfmoon, Ballston, Malta, Stillwater and Waterford.
Ballston Lake resident Sue Edick said she supported the budget.
`I am very into to the school and kids sports,` Edick, 40, said.
Edick said she has children in the district.
`You can’t spend enough on public education,` said Gerard Dewolf, 58, of Clifton Park, who voted in favor of the budget. `The board and superintendent have been responsible in handling the tax revenue.`
Despite general support for the budget, some residents did speak out against the budget, saying that the district needs to better control costs.
`I will commit this Board of Education to maintaining an aggressive monthly vigilance of our fiscal situation as the year passes. The board will be poised to take appropriate action if there are any unforeseen changes in revenues,` Casey said.
Ron Robins, 66, of Halfmoon voted against the budget saying, `I feel our taxes are high enough. I’m not sure they need new facilities here.`
Residents also voted in favor of a $1.32 million bus proposition, which will be used to purchase 13 20-passenger vans, two seven-passenger Suburbans, six 66-passenger buses and one industrial four-wheel loader.
The district would be reimbursed $871,168 through state aid for the replacement of the aging buses.
In Board of Education elections, incumbent Mary Wiggins and newcomer Mary Blaauboer defeated Erin Wallace for two seats on the district’s board.
Wiggins received the greatest number of votes with 3,096 votes, followed by Blaauboer with 2,749 and Wallace with 2,059.
Wiggins will serve her second term on the Board of Education. She has three children, two of whom have graduated, and one that is a senior at Shenendehowa. Wiggins is a domestic engineer with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The College of Saint Rose.
Blaauboer will start her three-year term on the board July 1, replacing Charles Huff, who decided not to seek reelection.
Blaauboer was the director of personnel for The College of Saint Rose, before resigning to stay at home with her children. She has two children, one in fifth grade and the other in sixth.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration with a minor in human management from Stonehill College in Massachusetts.“