BETHLEHEM — Bethlehem Central School District voters approved a $100.8 million for the 2019-2020 school year on Tuesday, May 21, with 2,010 voting in favor and 518 opposing.
It indicated that around 80 percent of voters supported it while 20 percent did not. This would increase spending by 2.06 percent and raise the tax levy increase by 2.03 percent.
Additionally, 1,829 voters, or 75 percent, approved a bus purchase proposition which would cost $1.1 million to replace four large buses and ten small 30-passenger buses. 2,025 voters, or 81 percent, also approved a 2019 Capital Reserve Fund of up to $10 million which could be used over a 10-year timeframe to facilitate future repairs or renovations in the district; 460, or 19 percent, opposed it.
Voters also had their say on who would take up the two open Board of Education seats, each of whom would begin their three-year term on July 1. The victors were newcomer Wendy Samson with 1,505 votes and incumbent Jonathan S. Fishbein with 1,323 votes. Newcomer Brendan M. McCann received just 1,267 votes.
“We truly appreciate the support our district receives from this community,” said Superintendent Jody Monroe. “This budget will allow us to continue delivering quality education to students and fulfill our mission of helping each and every student reach their potential.”
