Large majority of central New York school budgets passed

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Voters have approved school budgets in a majority of central New York school districts -- but a handful of school districts will have to go to plan B.

The budget was defeated in the Madison Central School District by only 18 votes.

In Oriskany, in Oneida County, the budget was also voted down.

And the Romulus district will have to work on a contingency plan, where voters soundly turned down a budget plan by about 100 votes.

Also on the ballot in the Westhill and West Genesee school districts were two library propositions. The propositions were for additional funding from district residents.

It’s an unusual move for libraries, but it was a successful one for the Onondaga library -- that proposition passed.

But the Solvay library's proposition was voted down.

The average tax increase districts faced was two percent. Many would have been facing drastically higher increases if it weren't for federal stimulus money.

Governor Paterson cut school budgets in December in his effort to reduce the deficit. Districts across the state lost a lot of money -- North Syracuse was out $4.4 million. They were about to have to cut 60 positions, including administration and teachers.

Instead, the federal stimulus money came through and saved them.

The stimulus funding, though, is only available for two years. Then, the districts are going to have to find that money again. 

The hope is that the economy rebounds, and Governor Paterson decides to restore the aid that was cut.
At the same time, there is going to be an increase in the rate that school districts have to pay into pension funds. This will be even more money coming out of their budgets.

To make up for that, North Syracuse Superintendent Dr. Jerome Melvin says increasing class sizes “is a very real possibility.”

The feds are so intent on the stimulus money bailing out districts in need that they're making schools spell out exactly which specific positions are saved because of it.

The good thing is that there's plenty of time to figure out what to do before the money runs out.

School Voting Results

APW  
Budget: Passed 252-141
Board: 5 candidates, 3 seats
David Brockett
Bonnie Frederick
*Michael Hale
*Richard McDermott
*Ernie Peters
Propositions:
-purchase buses: Passed 236-135

Auburn 
Budget: Passed 1,802-987
Board: 6 candidates, 3 seats
*William Andre
Merritt Fletcher
*Sam Giangreco
Ernest Hyde
*Joe Leogrande
Tom Ryan
Propositions:
-purchase maintenance vehicles: Passed 1,536-1,024

Baldwinsville  
Budget: Passed 1,750-668
Board: 6 candidates, 3 seats
Kevin Bernstein
*Cindy Cronin
*Jim Goulet
Christopher Patrick
*Burrill Wells
Gregory Wilcox
Propositions:
-bus purchases: Passed 1598-769

Belleville-Henderson  
Budget: Pass/Fail
Board: 3 candidates, 2 seats
Ginger Cook
Patrick Jareo
Bryan Stumpf
Propositions: none

Brookfield  
Budget: Passed 95-46
Board: 1 candidate, 1 seat
Propositions: none

Camden  
Budget: Passed 344-47
Board: 4 candidates, 3 seats
*Kimberly Densmore
*Ryan Fisher
*Tyler Henry
Beverly Metott
Propositions: none

Canandaigua
Budget: Pass/Fail
Board: 2 candidates, 2 seats
Propositions: none

Canastota  
Budget: Passed 322-235
Board: 2 candidates, 2 seats
Propositions:
-Bus prop: Passed 340-206
-Capital reserves: Passed 296-230

Cato-Meridian  
Budget: Passed 243-147
Board: 3 candidates, 3 seats
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 231-136

Cazenovia
Budget: Passed 452-160
Board: 3 candidates, 3 seats
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 455-145
-library budgets: Passed 437-162

Central Square  
Budget: Passed 700-426
Board: 4 candidates, 3 seats
*Stephen Fleury
*Lori Wood
Joseph Post
*David Bertrand
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 724-388
-technology upgrade: Passed 690-424

Chittenango  
Budget: Passed 388-128
Board: 3 candidates, 3 seats
Propositions:
-Library funding: Passed

Cincinnatus  
Budget: Passed 181-94
Board: 5 candidates, 2 seats
*Peter Bush
Donna Catlin
Patricia Henry
Amy Parker
*James Rice
Propositions:
-bus purchases: Passed 165-83

Clyde-Savannah
Budget: Passed 302-125
Board: 3 candidates, 2 seats
*Edward Carr
*Walter Votra
Nancy Younglove
Propositions:
-funding for summer programs: Passed 271-134
-purchase school buses: Passed 267-133
-student government president becomes non-voting member of school board: Passed 263-127

Cortland
Budget: Passed 549-218
Board: 3 candidates, 3 seats
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 495-236

Delhi
Budget: Passed 227-103
Board:  2 candidates,  2 seats
Propositions:
School bus purchases: Passed 201-97

DeRuyter
Budget: Passed 188-109
Board: 2 candidates, 2 seats
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 177-115
-DeRuyter library funding: Passed 181-122
-summer youth program funding: Passed 189-105

Dryden
Budget: Passed 713-385
Board: 6 candidates, 3 seats
Allen Call
*Bill Harding
*Brian June
Paul Lutwak
*Lawrence Lyon
Michael Stopp
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 680-371
-elementary school roof repairs: Passed 812-204

Dundee
Budget: Passed 233-67
Board:  2 candidates, 1 seat
Craig Lane - 101
*Jared Webster - 196
Propositions:
-increase library tax levy: Passed 214-56

East Syracuse-Minoa
Budget: Passed 886-418
Board: 2 candidates, 2 seats
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 914-382
-increase East Syracuse library budget: Passed 894-393

Edmeston
Budget: Passed 158-16
Board: 2 candidates, 1 seat
*Laura Hawes - 96
Jeremy Robinson - 70
Propositions:
-School bus prop 1: Passed 159-14
-School bus prop 2: Passed 157-17

Fabius-Pompey
Budget: Passed 246-85
Board: 3 candidates, 3 seats
*Chip Engst
*Don Neugebauer
*Maryam Wasmund
Propositions: none

Fayetteville-Manlius  
Budget: Passed 1,118-954
Board: 4 candidates, 3 seats
Dawn Cottrell
*Lisa Izant
*Ilene Mendel
*Marissa Mims
Propositions:
-Bus purchase: Passed 993-927
-Fayetteville library: Passed 1,188-835
-Manlius library: Passed 1,221-803 

Fulton  
Budget: Passed 479-433
Board: 3 candidates, 2 seats
*Robbin Griffin
*Rosemary Occhino
Daniel Truong
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 472-397

Geneva  
Budget: Passed 513-283
Board: 5 candidates, 2 seats
Charles Achilles
Robert Camera
Joseph DeCicca
*Eileen Halling
*S. Ford Weiskittel
Library board trustee:
*John Fouracre
*Maryann Bourbeau
Propositions: None

Greene  
Budget: Passed 234-93
Board: 1 candidate, 2 seats
*Richard Boeltz
Propositions: none

Groton
Budget: Passed 248-238
Board: 2 candidates, 2 seats
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 242-227

Hamilton
Budget: Passed 263-151
Board: 1 candidates, 1 seat
Propositions:
-bus purchase: Passed 257-154
-increase library budget: Passed 297-113

Hannibal  
Budget: Passed 438-224
Board: 5 candidates, 2 seats
*Matthew Henderson
Robert Kidd
Georgianna Otis
Kim Sitzer
*Linda Warrick
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 464-168

Holland Patent  
Budget: Passed 828-521
Board: 3 candidates, 1 seat
*Richard Allen
Tania Kalazoff
Mark Parshall
Propositions:
-bus purchases: Passed
-proposal to increase number of school board members from 5 to 7: Failed

Homer  
Budget: Passed 564-246
Board: 6 candidates, 3 seats
Terry Howell
Katherine Mead
*Scott Ochs
*David Quinlan
Richard Ryan
*Kim Sharpe
Propositions:
-purchase 5 school buses and 2 passenger vans: Passed 475-278

Ithaca  
Budget: Passed 1,787-743
Board: 3 candidates, 3 seats
Propositions:
-permit spending from capital reserve: Passed 1,866-608

Jamesville Dewitt  
Budget: Passed 803-311
Board: 4 candidates, 3 seats
Julia Comanici
*Jack McLoughlin
*Mark Schulman
*Jill Walsh
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 787-301
-increase library budget: Passed 797-306

Jordan Elbridge  
Budget: Passed 522-286
Board: 4 candidates, 3 seats
S. Keith Chilson
*Connie Drake
*Erica O’Brien
*Penny Seeney
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 441-282
-establish capital reserve fund: Passed 490-320
-Elbridge library budget: Passed 524-282
-Jordan library budget: Passed 511-293

Lafayette  
Budget: Passed 227-94
Board: 2 candidates, 2 seats
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 205-105

Lansing  
Budget: Passed 1,140-363
Board: 1 candidate, 2 seats
Propositions:
-allowing walk-in voter registration: Passed 1,152-339
-abolish Lansing Community Library: Failed 446-1,122 

Liverpool  
Budget: Passed 2,190-797
Board: 6 candidates, 3 seats
Matthew Jones
*James Kane
*Patricia Rosier
David Savlov
Charles Shaw
*John Woloszyn
Propositions:
-vehicle replacements: Passed 2,049-879
-capital reserve fund: Passed 1,928-934

Lyncourt  
Budget: Passed 166-97
Board: 3 candidate, 2 seats
*David Florczyk
*Anthony Maggi
Joseph Tartaro
Propositions:
-create capital reserve fund: Pass 160-76
-budget for Lyncourt Recreation: Pass 162-67

Lyons  
Budget: Passed 328-138
Board: 1 candidate, 1 seat
Propositions: none

Madison Central
Budget: Fail 141-159
Board: 5 candidates, 2 seats
Paula Kennett-Stolarczyk
*James Mitchell, Jr. - 162
Dr. Christopher Nyberg
*Kelly Snyder - 135
Steve Yancey
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 181-114

Marcellus  
Budget: Passed 820-530
Board: 3 candidates, 2 seats
*Jeffrey Crysler
Phillip Ragovin
*David Telly
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 767-554

McGraw  
Budget: Passed 110-36
Board: 3 candidates, 3 seats
Propositions:
-bus purchase: Passed 101-40

Mexico  
Budget: Passed 491-180
Board: 3 candidates, 2 seats
*Eric Behling
*Janice Clark
Lonniel Guile
Propositions:
-bus purchase: Passed 563-194

Moravia  
Budget: Passed 385-238
Board: 3 candidates, 2 seats
*Catherine Benson
Terry Lamphier
*Laura Wells
Propositions:
-library budget: Passed 393-291
-bus purchases: Passed 384-212

Morrisville Eaton  
Budget: Passed 296-112
Board: 2 candidates, 2 seats
Library board: 2 candidates, 2 seats
Propositions:
-bus purchases: Passed 297-110
-increase library funding: Passed 209-191

Mount Markham  
Budget: Passed 250-129
Board: 1 candidate, 2 seats
*Tom Huxtable 321
*Jack Kilty - write-in
Propositions: None

New Hartford  
Budget: Pass/Fail
Board: 2 candidate, 2 seat
Propositions:
-bus purchases

North Rose Wolcott  
Budget: Pass/Fail
Board: 2 candidates, 2 seats
Propositions:
-bus purchases
-increase library budget

North Syracuse  
Budget: Passed 1,377-397
Board: 5 candidates, 4 seats
*Toni ‘Lyn Brauchle (3 years)
*Catherine Cifaratta-Brayton (1 year)
*Robert Crabtree (3 years)
Pamela Knoop
*Jacqueline Owens (3 years)
Propositions:
-bus purchases: Passed 1,293-454
-Salina library budget: Passed 65-25

Norwich  
Budget: Passed 504-217
Board: 4 candidates, 3 seats
*Sally Chirlin
Mark Hollifield
*Perry Owen
*Joseph Stagliano
Propositions: none

Odessa Montour  
Budget: Passed 296-77
Board: 7 candidates, 4 seats
*Debra Harrington (2 years)
Paul LaRow
Scott McCray
Philip Pitcher
*Donald Roberts, Jr. (2 years)
*Karen Rock (3 years)
*Matthew Walters (3 years)
Propositions:
-library budgets: Passed 245-120
-school bus purchases: Passed 275-88
-alter length of school board terms: Passed 291-70

Oneida  
Budget: Passed 846-346
Board: 1 candidate, 1 seat
*Alicia Lippert - 512 (write-in)
David Woodcock - 424
Propositions:
-school bus and vehicle purchases: Passed 842-298
-sale of Sylvan Beach-Verona Beach elementary school: Passed 946-198

Onondaga  
Budget: Passed 341-99
Board: 2 candidates, 2 seats
Propositions:
-School bus purchases: Passed 338-99
-increase in money for Onondaga Free Library: Passed 284-152

Oriskany  
Budget: Failed 189-223
Boards: 2 candidates, 1 seat
Charles Courtney - 181
*Patrick Hoehn - 216
Propositions: None

Oswego  
Budget: Passed 1,831-1,371
Board: 7 candidates, 2 seats
*Thomas DeCastro
Donald Goewey
*Francis Hoefer
Fred Maxon
Robert Ramsey
Samuel Sugar
Jeffrey Wallace
Library Board: 4 candidates, 2 seats
*Warren Shaw
*Cynthia Tascarella
Judith Funari
Victoria Willoughby
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 1,981-1,211
-establish capital reserve fund: Passed 1,745-1,416
-sell Education Center: Passed 2,248-997
-athletic field lights for Middle School: Failed 1,457-1,744
-library budget: Passed 1,722-1,341

Otselic Valley 
Budget: Passed 168-73
Board: 1 candidate, 1 seat
Propositions:
-bus purchase: Passed 162-71

Phoenix  
Budget: Passed 282-235
Board: 3 candidates, 3 seats
Propositions:
-bus purchases: Passed 272-200

Port Byron  
Budget: Passed 279-158
Board: 3 candidates, 3 seats
Propositions:
-bus purchases: Passed 256-176
-local library budget: Passed 260-171

Pulaski 
Budget: Passed 319-78
Board: 3 candidates, 2 seats
Kevin Bom
*Timothy Peter
*Trista VanDuzer
Propositions:
-Bus purchase: Pass 311-62

Red Creek  
Budget: Passed 254-56
Board: 3 candidates, 3 seats
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed

Remsen  
Budget: Pass/Fail
Board: 1 candidate, 1 seat
Propositions:
-school bus purchases

Rome
Budget: Passed 1,697-759
Board: 5 candidates, 3 seats
*Mary Davis
*Christine Esposito
*Jennifer Geiger
John Sallustio
Joseph Sallustio, Jr
Propositions:
-library budget: Passed 1,833-647

Romulus  
Budget: Failed 222-320
Board: 6 candidates, 3 seats
*Laurie Asermeily
*Susan Backlund
Norman Hollenbeck
Cornelia Johnson
*Robert McCann
Chris Saeli
Propositions:
-establish capital reserve fund: Failed 235-288
-bus purchases: Failed 251-281
-collect money to fund public library in neighboring town: Failed 208-311

Sandy Creek  
Budget: Passed 279-87 
Board: 3 candidates, 1 seat
*Shannon Akey - 161
Brian Kehoe - 131
Brian Willis - 121
Propositions:
-Increase capital reserve fund: Passed 259-97

Sherburne Earlville  
Budget: Passed 315-133
Board: 0 candidates, 1 seat
*Doug Shattuck (write-in)
Propositions: none

Skaneateles  
Budget: Passed 710-521
Board: 3 candidates, 3 seats
Propositions:
-school bus purchases and digital cameras for entire fleet: Passed 697-489

Solvay  
Budget: Passed 304-109
Board: 1 candidate, 1 seat
Propositions:

South Jefferson  
Budget: pass/fail
Board: 2 candidates, 2 seats
Propositions:
-school bus purchases

South Lewis  
Budget: pass/fail
Board: 2 candidates, 2 seats
Propositions:
-transportation budget

South Seneca  
Budget: pass/fail
Board: 3 candidates, 2 seats
Mary Church
Mike DiPerna
Anne Stengle
Propositions:
-library budget

Southern Cayuga  
Budget: Passed 509-242
Board: 2 candidates, 2 seats
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 467-262
-increase support for local libraries: Passed 525-206
-create a capital reserve fund: Passed 488-232

Stockbridge Valley  
Budget: Passed 162-38
Board: 5 candidates, 3 seats
Lindsay Cross - 91
*Gwen Isbell - 123
Tracie Nolley - 79
*Brian Printup - 133
*Doug Reed - 130
Propositions: none

Trumansburg  
Budget: Passed 453-189
Board: 2 candidates, 2 seats
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 445-194
-create equipment reserve fund: Passed 446-191
-allow a student to be a school board member: Passed 457-152

Tully  
Budget: Passed 428-205
Board: 4 candidates, 3 seats
Rebecca Harris
*Jan Kublick
*Ken Steiger
*Dan Twentyman
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 398-218
-library budget: Passed 424-196

Unadilla Valley  
Budget: pass/fail
Board: 3 candidates, 2 seats
Brian Brennan
Edmund Caputo
Clifton Frink
Propositions:
-school bus purchases
-increase library funding

Union Springs  
Budget: Passed 349-110
Board: 3 candidates, 3 seats
Propositions:
-collect $2,500 annually for Springport Library: Passed 351-77

Vernon Verona Sherill  
Budget: Passed 330-122
Board: 3 candidates, 3 seats
Propositions:

Walton  
Budget: Passed 335-140
Board: 3 candidates, 2 seats
Dennis DuMond
*James Hoyt
*Carol Michalski
Propositions:
-bus and vehicle purchase: Passed 311-155
-Library prop: Passed 280-184

Waterloo  
Budget: Passed 270-88
Board: 3 candidates, 3 seats
Propositions:
-bus purchases: Passed 269-75
-create capital reserve fund: Passed 253-82

Waterville  
Budget: pass/fail
Board: 4 candidates, 2 seats
Polly Belfield
Elizabeth Kenny-Barnes
Craig Tilbe
Roberta Williams
Propositions:
-bus purchases
-allow district to collect funds for local libraries

Weedsport  
Budget: Passed 496-296
Board: 2 candidates, 1 seat
*Timothy Lally
Mark Mietz
Propositions:
-bus purchases: Passed 517-275
-public library budget: Passed 510-279

West Genesee  
Budget: Passed 2,016-653
Board: 4 candidates, 3 seats
*Michael Alberts
*Steve James
Doreen Plony
*Kimberly Sacco
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 1822-821
-Solvay Public Library funding: Failed 799-1,076
-funding for three libraries in Camillus, Fairmount and Onondaga: Passed 2,049-629

Westhill  
Budget: Passed 539-228
Board: 2 candidates, 1 seat
Regina McGraw
*Rosanne Scrimale
Propositions:
-school vehicle purchases: Passed 519-249
-Funding for library in Onondaga: Passed 492-279
-Funding for library in Solvay: Failed 310-461

Westmoreland  
Budget: Passed 357-159
Board: 4 candidates, 3 seats
*John Acee II
*Charlene Heartman
*David Mokry
Edward Seiselmyer
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 347-142

Whitesboro  
Budget: Passed 1,194-852
Board: 6 candidates, 3 seats
Glade Cook, Jr.
*Steven Farr
*Michael Geller
John Harmon, Jr.
*Michael Head
Alan Swierzzek
Propositions:
-school bus purchases: Passed 1,100-761