Crystal Hoey hoped her vote might be the deciding one.
The Scotia resident who had two kids graduate from Scotia-Glenville Central School District voted yes Tuesday on the district’s $50.78 million budget for 2014-2015, which raises taxes 1.76 percent.
Because the tax levy increase was higher than the 0.27 percent increase allowed by the state tax cap — which varies by district — the budget needed a 60 percent supermajority to pass.
The budget passed by a vote of 1,254 to 475 — or 73.2 percent.
“I voted positively, yes, because I think it’s important for students to have all of the access to the programs that they need to be successful, because if they cut any more, there’s nothing left,” said Hoey, 51. “They’re looking for a supermajority and I’m concerned they’re going to not meet that, so I wanted to make sure that I was here to maybe push it over the edge.”
Across the region Tuesday, residents voted on school budgets and bus purchase proposals while also electing school board members. Most budgets passed with strong support, according to unofficial election results.
Two high school seniors ran for board of election seats but were defeated in contested races. In Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, Matthew Schultz, 18, lost by 22 votes. Six people were seeking three seats in that race. In Mohonasen, Simon Lange, 18, lost to 24-year incumbent Nancy del Prado and newcomer Lisa Gaglioti.
The results by school district:
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake
Peter Sawyer (1,250 votes), John Blowers (1,061 votes) and Will Farmer (1,019 votes) elected over Matthew Schultz (997 votes), Joe Pericone (883 votes) and John Kelsh (595 votes); $60.59 million budget approved 1,620-587; $450,000 purchase of five buses approved 1,766-443; $148,000 purchase of property at 834 Route 50 approved 1,702-504.
Duanesburg
Write-in candidates Michael Jackson (136) and Mara Burns (96) elected over write-ins Lance Manus (41) and Bob Fiorini (38); $15.02 million budget approved 342-149; $225,000 purchase of three buses approved 351-141.
Guilderland
Judy Slack (1,856), Chris McManus (1,839) and Allan Simpson (1,803) elected; $92.13 million budget approved 1,735-900; $995,000 purchase of seven buses and a plow truck approved 1,642-900.
Mohonasen
Nancy del Prado (818) and Lisa Gaglioti (720) elected over Simon Lange (643); $46.41 million budget approved 859-503; $336,000 purchase of three buses approved 903-456.
Niskayuna
Rosemarie Perez Jaquith (2,425) and David Apkarian (2,621) elected over Deborah Oriola (1,437); $77.3 million budget approved 2,595-1,320; $814,500 purchase of seven buses approved 2,507-1,298.
North Colonie
Pennie Grinnell, Patrick Masson and Avideh Sadaghiani elected; $101.32 million budget approved 1,328-566.
South Colonie
David Kiehle (1,389) elected over Patricia Jarvis (556) and Andre Allman (493); James Tim Ryan (1,867) also elected; $95.3 million budget approved 1,693-755.
Schalmont
Michael Pasquarella (465) and Kevin Thompson (430) elected over Ryan Snyder (249); $44.55 million budget approved 473-222; $481,000 purchase of five buses approved 465-221.
Scotia-Glenville
William Pytlovany (1,320), David Bucciferro (1,264) and Pamela Carbone (1,287) elected; $50.78 million budget approved 1,254-475; $427,000 purchase of six buses approved 1,265-46.
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