School districts in Saratoga County recorded strong turnout on Tuesday, May 15, when voters approved school budgets for the 2012-13 school year.
Incumbents held on to school board seats and referendums regarding school bus purchases and financing plans sailed through. A district-by-district breakdown of the results follows.
Ballston Spa hits supermajority, and then some
Ballston Spa Central School District voters approved a budget of $76.4 million – and in numbers well in excess of the 60 percent super majority needed to override the state tax cap. A total of 1,737 yes votes were tallied, along with 759 no votes, a nearly 70 percent approval ratio.
“We will continue to balance fiscal responsibility with providing the best programs for our students,” said Superintendent Joseph Dragone.
Each of the three propositions including vehicle replacement, the public library and recreation commission also passed.
At the polls at Ballston Spa High School, voter Joan Libby said she wanted people to “get out and vote” so they could reach the super majority. She, along with about half of the voters, also hit the district’s exit polls after casting their ballots for the budget.
Coordinator of Community Resources Stuart Williams said “upwards of 50 percent” of the voters went to the exit polls, which asks more detailed questions for district use.
“It’s one page, it’s quick, it depends on how much they want to write.” he added.
Election Inspectors Martha Iacolucci and Eleanor Dillon were ready for voters Tuesday morning, though they said the process of voters getting used to the new digital scan machines “would get faster” as the years advanced. They have both been inspectors “for years” and seemed to miss the lever style machines, though welcomed the accuracy of the new scanning methods for voting.
“They’re (voters) becoming much more comfortable with the new machines. … This is technology, it’s more accurate,” Dillon said.
Senior Ashley Purdy, 18, was directing voters and had cast her ballot earlier in the morning. She was there along with many other students including fellow seniors Jessica Volin-Ruiz and Gary Older as part of their participation in government class to perform community service.
School Pride Day was being celebrated at Ballston Spa and was to include an ice cream social, strawberry festival, art show and barbeque.
Williams said that the draws were an effort to “combine as many things as we can” since voters had to drive from within 65 miles to cast their ballots.
Three candidates were elected to the Board of Education. Kevin Schaefer received 1,532 votes, Christine Richardson took 1,666 votes and Nancy Fodera garnered 1,414 votes. Donna Miter garnered 1,384 votes.
Referendum results were: school vehicle replacement, 1,686 yes,756 no; Ballston Spa Public Library budget, 1,839 yes, 749 no; Ballston Area Recreation Commission budget 1,882 yes, 568 no.
Burnt Hills Ballston Lake Central School District
Voters approved a budget of $56.9 million.
According to Christy Multer, public relations officer for the district, the 71 percent approval margin was the highest in 30 years of district records.
Additional state aid, in the amount of $388,000 helped the district in the budgeting process, and under the new budget the tax levy will increase by 2.35 percent.
Two candidates ran uncontested for seats of the Board of Education. Elizabeth Herkenham garnered 1,756 votes, providing her with a fourth term, and James Maughan took 1,707 votes, giving him a second term.
A referendum for the purchase of buses at an estimated cost of$400,000 passed with 1,528 yes votes, and 670 no votes.
Shenendehowa Central School District
Voters approved a budget of $151.5 million.
A total of 3,239 yes votes and 1,432 no votes were cast.
The district was facing a $1.5 million budget gap, which was closed through reductions. The budget was below the maximum allowable tax levy increase allowed by the state tax law of 3.43 percent.
Two seats on the Board of Education went to incumbent Janet Grey, who garnered 3,336 votes, and first time runner Robert Pressly, who took 1,980 votes. William Acker received 1,820 votes and Anthony Morelli received 1,808.
A referendum for purchasing 19 buses passed as well, with a total of 3,105 yes votes and 1,419 no votes cast. That cost is set at approximately $8.9 million.
Saratoga Springs City School District
Voters overwhelmingly passed a budget of $109.7 million.
According to Maureen Dana, public information specialist for the district, 2,203 yes votes and 601 no votes were cast, a nearly 79 percent approval rate.
Board of Education seats were all uncontested: Steve Grandin garnered 1,885 votes, Michael Ladd 1,976 votes and JoAnne Kiernan 2,096 votes.
Referendums for both the capital reserve fund and bus purchases passed as well. A total of 2,147 yes votes and 613 no votes were cast for the creation of a reserve fund and 2,088 yes votes and 682 no votes were cast for the purchase of school buses.
