When the polls closed at Waterman Elementary School at 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, the Skaneateles Central School District had an overwhelmingly approved budget, an authorization to buy new school busses, one reelected school board member and two new members.
The proposed district 2012-13 budget of $29.1 million with a 2.5 percent tax levy increase passed by a vote of 897 to 259.
The proposition to authorize the purchase two school buses, at a cost not to exceed $265,000, also was approved by voters, by a vote of 815 to 302.
As for the Board of Education election, four candidates ran to fill three seats. The only incumbent to seek reelection, current BOE President Evan Dreyfuss, not only retained his seat but garnered the highest vote count at 888. Also elected to the board was Sue Benjamin, with 758 votes, and Susan Greenfield Murphy, with 726 votes. The fourth candidate, Jeremy Dodds, received 693 votes.
“I’m very appreciative if the community support so I can serve again, and I look forward to working with the two new board members,” Dreyfuss said. “It’s reassuring to know that people believe you do a good job.”
“It’s over; this was the longest day of the year,” a jubilant Susan Greenfield Murphy said when informed of her victory. “I’m happy, very happy. Now the fun begins.”
District Superintendent Phil D’Angelo said he was very pleased that the budget passed. “I think this is a resounding affirmative vote that the community remains behind our students and our district,” he said. “I congratulate the three candidates elected to the board and thank all four for showing their interest in running.”
BOE Vice President Kate Coggswell, who retires from the board this year, also was glad to see the budget passed.
“I’m always relieved and happy when it’s a positive budget vote,” she said. “It’s a great endorsement of all the hard and excellent work that gets done in this district.”
The newly-elected board members will be officially sworn on to the BOE at the board’s annual reorganizational meeting during the first week of July.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Skaneateles Press. He can be reached at [email protected].
