Residents in the Schalmont school district voted to pass the proposed $42.3 million budget on Tuesday, May 18, with the bus proposition of $294,000 nearly passing and board of education candidates Sandra Beloncik, Michael Della Villa and Robert Sheehan voted into office.
The 2010-11 school budget presents a zero percent budget increase and a school tax levy change of one percent. The budget reflects over $1.5 million in cuts in staff, programs and supplies after funding from the state was cut for the coming year. The budget passed with a 768 to 504 vote while the permission to purchase three 66-passenger passed by a margin of 667 to 500 votes. Superintendent of schools for Schalmont, Valerie Kelsey, said in a release from the district that she is happy that people came out and voted today.
It was a difficult budget year, especially with no official decision yet on the Governor’s state aid cuts. This budget will help ensure Schalmont students continue to receive quality education, said Kelsey in the release.
Board of education candidates, Sandra Beloncik, Michael Della Villa, and Robert Sheehan were elected to the school board for Schalmont. Beloncik was elected to her sixth term with 749 votes, Della Villa to his third term with 815 votes and Sheehan to his third term on the board with 832 votes. John DiCocco was not elected to office but received 628 votes. Della Villa said he is excited and happy that the budget passed in the town.
`I think it’s a vote of confidence for our administration and our board,` said Della Villa. `I’m excited to work with Sandy and Bob and the other four members of the boardwe have a very cohesive board that is led by an outstanding superintendent and her support staff.`
The Schalmont board of education will meet again on Monday, May 24 at 7 p.m. at the Schalmont Middle School LGI Room. The board of education will meet on Tuesday, July 6, at the District Office for a reorganizational meeting for the 2010-11 school year.
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