DELMAR — Bethlehem Central residents overwhelmingly approved a $102.7 million budget for the 2022-23 school year by an 83 to 17 percent margin, or 3853 to 805 votes.
Superintendent Jody Monroe said turnout for the annual budget vote was greater than expected, driven in large part by a four-way race for two open board seats.
“At BC, we talk a lot about the value of community. Nothing says community more than people willing to spend time in a voting line — one that often stretched all the way out to the street — in order to cast their votes,” she said. “You can bet our students were watching and learning this important civics lesson.”
Robert Tietjen and John Walston each garnered enough votes to join the Bethlehem Central Board of Education. Tietjen received 3,072 votes, while Walson earned 2,592. They will each serve a three-year term on the board, beginning July 1.
The race comprised four candidates vying for their first term on the school board. The breakdown of the total of 4,714 resident votes went as such:
Robert Tietjen received 3,072 votes
John Walston received 2,592 votes
Tamara A. Starr received 2,146 votes
Douglas Lloyd received 812 votes
Residents also approved two propositions that included a bus purchase plan (77 percent approved) and funding into the district’s capital reserves (84 percent).
“Our mission as a school district is to help all students reach their potential,” Monroe said. “Passage of this budget will help us deliver on that mission with added support for students in areas of academics, character, community and wellness.”
