South Colonie Central School District voters recently approved the district’s $107 million spending plan and elected Brian Casey for another term.
Instead of the traditional mid-May Budget Vote date, on May 1. Gov. Cuomo announced that this year’s budget vote and board of election would take place exclusively by absentee ballot in June due to concerns regarding the coronavirus public health crisis. South Colonie residents took to the polls via absentee ballot to vote on the following:
A $107,000,975 budget for the 2020-21 school year that increases spending by 2.02 percent over the current school year, and includes an increase in the district tax levy of 2.92 percent. Approved by South Colonie voters 1706 to 516.
Voters also re-elected Brian Casey as a member of the South Colonie Board of Education with 1948 votes. Casey is set to begin his five-year term on July 1.
“We are so thankful for everyone who took the time to vote in the election,” said Dr. David Perry, superintendent of schools. “Due to the current financial landscape caused by a reduction in state aid and the COVID crisis our board had to make some difficult decisions surrounding the 2020-21 budget. The approved spending will allow the district to continue to meet the needs of our students while bracing for potential mid-year cuts and other reductions.”
A proposition to purchase five school buses of various sizes financed over five-years of $531,000 was also approved by voters 1629 to 588.
“I am thrilled that the community continues to support the district as we work to provide excellence in academic programming while maintaining fiscal responsibility to our taxpayers,” said Edward Sim, board of education president.
More details on the full budget can be found here.