CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. — Capital Region residents voted on their respective school district budgets and board of education members on Tuesday.
Troy City School District:
Residents approved a $126,903,272 budget for the 2022-2023 school year. Three candidates were elected to the Board of Education.
Unofficial results of the budget vote were 575 yes and 99 no. This budget will result in a zero-percent tax levy increase – a figure that is $446,181 below the allowable tax cap of 1.18%. This also marks the second year in a row with a zero-percent tax levy increase, and the tenth consecutive year the District has presented a budget under the tax cap.
Three candidates were elected to the Board of Education for three-year terms effective July 1, 2022:
Ann Apicella (491), Ebony Pompey-Conway (491), and Anne Wager-Rounds (526)
“I extend my thanks to the Troy voters for supporting our 2022-2023 budget,” Superintendent John Carmello said in a news release. “We are excited about the future of the district, and we look forward to building on our successes and meeting the needs of all of our students. This budget allows us to do that.”
“On behalf of the Board of Education, I would like to sincerely thank the community for their support of our district,” Board of Education President Anne Wager-Rounds added. “I congratulate Ebony Pompey-Conway and Ann Apicella on their reelection, and I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure all of our students reach their full potential.”
Lansingburgh Central School District:
Residents approved a $57,383,864 budget for the 2022-2023 school year by a vote of 462 (yes) to 186 (no).
This budget represents a $2,634,686 spending increase from the 2021-2022 school year. The estimated tax levy increase for the 2022-2023 Budget is 1.80%, which is below the allowable tax levy limit of 2.60% set by New York State.
Residents also elected Talia Pallozzi, Jessica Vartigian, and Thomas Zakrzewski to three seats on the Board of Education. Talia Pallozzi and Jessica Vartigian were the two candidates with the highest number of votes and were each elected for a full five-year term (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2027). Zakrzewski was the candidate with the third-highest number of votes and was elected to fill a currently vacant seat. Zakrzewski’s term will be for two years (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2024) remaining in the term of the seat vacated by Robert Morris. Vote counts and candidate names are below in the order they appeared on the ballot:
- Jessica Vartigian: 307
- Catherine Curtis: 284
- Jami Briggs: 220
- Tina Rysedorph: 191
- Thomas Zakrzewski: 296
- Talia Pallozzi: 372
Cohoes City School District:
Voters approved a $47 million budget for the 2022-23 school year by a margin of 441 to 99, or approximately 82% in favor. Voters also approved a $19.985 million capital project referendum by a margin of 449 to 87 or approximately 84% in favor.
Three members were elected to the Board of Education: Nadia Carey will serve her second term and Sue Paradis and Marianne Gendron will serve their first terms. Their three-year terms begin July 1, 2022.
“I would like to thank the residents of Cohoes for supporting our 2022-23 budget and capital project,” Superintendent Peggy O’Shea said in a statement. “Our spending plan, coupled with the capital project, will allow us to build on existing educational programs and provide enhanced learning opportunities for students both now and into the future.”
Watervliet City School District:
Residents approved the proposed $33.7 million budget for the 2022-23 school year by a margin of 76 percent, or 146 yes votes to 46 no votes.
Sheri Senecal was re-elected to her fourth term on the school board with 144 votes. Brian White was elected to his first term with 153 votes. Since White received the higher number of votes, he will serve a three-year term on the Board, beginning July 1. Senecal will serve the two years that remain on a term that opened due to the resignation of a board member.
The 2022-23 budget increases overall spending 10.7 percent compared to the current year’s budget. It maintains all academic programs and instructional services, while providing additional supports and opportunities for students. Voters also approved a five-year lease for three new buses to continue to provide the current level of transportation services for students.
The budget yields a tax levy increase of 2.04 percent, which is below the district’s tax levy limit under New York’s tax “cap” law. As such, a simple majority of voters was needed to approve the budget.
Averill Park Central School District:
Residents supported a $63.8 million budget for the 2022-23 school year by a vote of 1,880 (yes) to 991 (no), as well as a bus and equipment purchase proposition.
The budget of $63,873,347 calls for an increase of 3.93% from the 2021-22 school year and a tax levy increase of 2.95%, which is under the tax cap.
The approval of the bus and equipment proposition, by a 1,877 (yes) to 976 (no) vote, allows the district to purchase eight (8) new school buses and one (1) truck as part of the district’s long-term bus replacement plan. The district is eligible to receive approximately 72 percent reimbursement from the state on the purchase of these buses.
“Thank you to the Averill Park CSD residents who voted on the 2022-23 school budget. Our staff and Board of Education worked hard on developing a budget that is fiscally responsible and maintains a strong academic program for our students,” Superintendent Dr. James Franchini said. “This budget will allow us to continue to fulfill our mission of meeting the needs of and providing opportunities for every student every day.”
Residents also elected Adam Stewart, Meghan McGarry and Samantha Hicks to the Board of Education. Candidate vote counts are below, in the order they appeared on the ballot.
- Nicole Gendron 856
- Adam Stewart 1,737
- Jenaliegh Schroeder 483
- Meghan McGarry 1,723
- Darryl Borton 722
- Samantha Hicks 1,604
- Walter Spallane, Jr. 811
- Ronald Gibson 551
East Greenbush Central School District:
Residents approved all three propositions on this year’s Budget Vote and Board Election ballot, including a $104,840,470 budget for the 2022-23 school year, the purchase of eight school buses from the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund, and the establishment of a new Capital Reserve Fund.
More than 84% of voters approved the school budget, which maintains all programs and has no tax levy increase.
“We appreciate the community’s continued support for our schools,” Superintendent Jeff Simons said in a news release. “We are mindful of the importance of ensuring the best quality education for our students and affordability for our taxpayers. I am grateful to our Board of Education for always keeping the focus on students.”
The new school buses, which will replace older buses according to the district’s bus fleet management plan, will be purchased from the district’s Bus Purchase Reserve Fund with no impact to taxpayers. The district will be reimbursed for approximately 67.9% of the total school bus purchase.
Voters also supported the establishment of a new Capital Reserve Fund, which will be used to defray the cost of construction, repairs and equipping of school buildings and facilities in the future. The fund is limited to $5,000,000 over a term of 10 years and any expenditures will require voter approval.
In addition to the school budget and other two propositions on the ballot, Jennifer O’Brien, Michele Skumurski and Emily Steinbach were elected to three-year terms on the Board of Education.
“Congratulations to board members Michele Skumurski, Jennifer O’Brien and Emily Steinbach on their election to our board,” Simons said. “It is a privilege to lead our schools in this wonderful community!”
Results:
Proposition #1: School Budget for 2022-23
Yes: 983
No: 175
Proposition #2: School Buses from Reserve Fund
Yes: 1,012
No: 140
Proposition #3: Establishment of New Capital Reserve Fund
Yes: 985
No: 166
Board of Education Election
All three candidates on the ballot have been elected to three-year terms.
- Jennifer O’Brien: 968
- Michele Skumurski: 961
- Emily Steinbach: 901
- Write-In: 28
Schodack Central School District:
Residents voted to approve a $26,891,553 budget for the 2022-2023 school year by a vote of 410 (yes) to 131 (no).
This budget represents a $732,460 spending increase from the 2021-2022 school year. The estimated tax levy increase for the 2022-2023 Budget is 2.24%, which meets the allowable tax levy limit set by New York State.
Residents also approved a proposed capital improvement project budgeted at $8,764,559 by a vote of 413 (yes) to 122 (no). The project will address necessary maintenance, renovations, and improvements at district facilities. Due to retiring debt, the district has a unique but time-sensitive funding opportunity to pay for this proposed project that is expected to have no additional impact on the taxpayer.
Residents also approved the purchase of two additional school buses for the district by a vote of 435 (yes) to (107).
Residents elected Sherri Gibson, Angela Beber, Daniel Grandinetti, Shelley Palmer, and Ashley Palmer to five seats on the Board of Education. Three of these seats were due to board member term expirations and two were vacant seats due to member resignations. Sherri Gibson, Angela Beber, and Daniel Grandinetti were the candidates with the highest number of votes, respectively, and all were elected to a full three-year term (July 1, 2022-June 30, 2025). Shelley Palmer and Ashley Palmer were the candidates with the fourth and fifth highest number of votes, respectively, and were elected to fill the two vacant seats on the board. Each will serve an approximately one-year term (May 18, 2022-June 30, 2023), which is the time remaining in the terms of the vacated seats. Vote counts and candidate names are below in the order they appeared on the ballot:
- Angela Beber: 374
- Daniel Grandinetti: 370
- Shelley Palmer: 369
- Sherri Gibson:382
- Ashley Palmer: 336
Hoosic Valley Central School District:
Residents passed the 2022-23 school budget 256 yes votes to 76 no. The library proposition passed 277 to 57. Board candidates Joseph Thompson (274) and Margaret Rice (283) were both elected to a four-year term.
Rensselaer City School District:
Voters passed proposition one by a tally of 184 to 133.
Brunswick Central School District:
Residents passed the 2022-23 budget by a tally of 296 yes to 120 no. On the school board, Valerie Lee (317), Leah Wertz (294), and Jack Roddy (261) were each re-elected, while Carol Rosbozom received 219 votes.
Berlin Central School District:
Voters approved the district’s $25.9 million 2022-23 budget proposal, elected three board of education members, and approved the purchase of three new buses.
The budget proposition passed by 68% with 214 yes votes and 100 no votes. This is for a $25,974,187 budget for the 2022-23 school year that carries a 1.99% tax levy increase.
Purchasing three new 66 passenger school buses at a total cost not to exceed $405,000: 222 yes; 93 no
Board of Education Election:
Four candidates sought election to three open board of education seats.
- Andrea Beckwith: 245 votes
- Sherry Bowman-Kluck: 226 votes
- Kimberly Collen: 217 votes
- Jeffrey Paine: 148 votes
