Middleburgh voters say no, rest of Schoharie County OKs school budgets

PHOTOGRAPHER: Edward Munger Jr.

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Voters in all Schoharie County school districts except Middleburgh approved 2013-14 budget proposals Tuesday.

Residents in the Middleburgh Central School district rejected a $20.2 million spending plan in a tight 374-399 vote.

The budget called for a 3.92 percent increase in the tax levy and a spending increase of 0.63 percent.

According to voting results posted online by the district late Tuesday, residents also shot down a $163,000 proposal to buy two buses, 357-414. Elected to the Board of Education were Michael L. Fisher IV with 473 votes and Donald K. Wood with 417 votes.

District officials could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.

According to the district’s website, the Board of Education will meet May 29 to decide whether to put the same budget up for another vote, devise another budget or adopt a contingency budget.

Other results reported by districts are as follows:

• Cobleskill-Richmondville: Residents approved a $36.57 million budget 758-424.

The plan calls for a 2.98 percent tax levy increase and 4.3 percent spending hike.

Mary E. Black and Jeffrey C. Foote were elected to the Board of Education.

District residents also approved a proposal to purchase five school buses for $435,700 in a 724–445 vote and OK’d a proposition to provide $250,573 to fund The Community Library, 752–411.

John Hart was elected to a five-year term on the library Board of Trustees.

• Gilboa-Conesville: A $9.87 million budget passed 155-37. The plan calls for a 2.25 percent tax levy increase and boosts spending by 1.18 percent.

Michael Fleischman ran unopposed for a five-year term on the Board of Education and drew 110 votes. Voters approved a proposition to reduce the Building Renovation Capital Reserve Fund from $500,067.17 down to $100,000 in a 107-35 vote.

Residents also approved a proposition to establish a $500,000 reserve fund dedicated to buying buses 102-39.

• Jefferson: Voters approved a $6.1 million budget, 140-62. The plan boosts spending by 0.9 percent and comes with a 1 percent tax levy increase. Residents also approved a $109,406 bus purchase proposition 133-66.

David Lapinel was elected to complete an unexpired term with 133 votes, and Michael Jonker was elected to a five-year term with 138 votes.

• Schoharie: Residents approved a $21 million budget proposal 334-211.

The spending plan boosts taxes and spending by 2.8 percent.

Voters approved a $813,000 proposition to renovate the district bus garage, 307-227 and OK’d a proposition to buy four school buses for $300,000 in a vote of 325-215.

Vote tallies for three candidates running for three open seats on the Board of Education are as follows: Marion Jaqueway, 408, Daniel Guasp, 344, Terry Burton, 416.

• Sharon Springs: Voters approved the district’s $8.77 million budget 202–56.

The spending plan calls for a 1 percent tax levy increase and boosts spending by 0.9 percent.

Residents approved a $90,000 bus purchase, 181-76. Laura Jackson and Steven Bade were elected to the Board of Education with 191 and 62 votes, respectively.