BALDWINSVILLE — Residents of the Baldwinsville Central School District head to the polls on Tuesday, May 17, to vote on the 2022-23 school budget, renovations at Durgee Junior High School and which three candidates will join the Board of Education.
Cast your vote between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. May 17 at the District Operations Building (the former bus garage), located on the main BCSD campus at 29 E. Oneida St.
If you need an absentee ballot, visit bville.org and click on “Budget” under “Departments” to download an application. Contact District Clerk Kimberly Vile at [email protected] or 315-638-6055 with any questions.
Budget and bus propositions
Appropriations for the 2022-23 budget will total $118,937,347. The tax levy will be $61,557,316. Other revenue — state aid, payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreements, county sales tax and other sources — totals $57,380,031.
Proposition II, the annual bus purchase proposition, requests the purchase of ten 64-passenger buses, one 54-passenger bus (wheelchair-accessible, with air conditioning) and three 30-passenger buses with air conditioning. While the total cost is $1,760,000, after state aid the district’s local share is $334,400.
The tax rate is estimated to increase by 2.28%, assuming no change in assessment, with a true tax rate of about $22.72 per $1,000 of assessed value.
“The overall assessed property values, taking equalization rates into account, continues to increase. The increased assessed property values provides a larger base to divide the levy over which results in the tax rate per $1,000 being lower. This has occurred over the past four years, though your tax bill may increase due to an increase in the assessed value of your home,” explains the budget newsletter.
A homeowner whose house is assessed at $100,000 can expect to pay $2,272 next year, and a homeowner whose property is assessed at $250,000 can expect to pay $5,680.
Durgee renovations
The Durgee Capital Project is Proposition III. Totaling $32.8 million, the project includes a gymnasium addition with locker rooms; new kitchen and cafeteria space; new CTE and fine arts classrooms; a new Library Media Center and ensemble space; reconfiguration of offices and student workspaces; and the creation of a new, more secure main entrance to the building.
The district plans to use $5 million from its capital reserve and anticipates $24.8 million in state aid. The local share of the project cost is $3,025,871.
According to the district’s budget vote newsletter, “Taxes are projected to increase by approximately $12.77 for a home with a market value of $100,000 to support the project beginning in 2024-2025.”
Other propositions
Proposition IV would create the 2022 Capital Reserve Fund with $10 million to be used toward renovations of the district’s buildings, facilities and grounds.
Proposition V would allow the BOE to purchase a 0.22-acre parcel of vacant land on O’Brien Road in the town of Van Buren, which will be used to improve bus and parent traffic flow at McNamara Elementary. The total purchase price is $10,000; after state building aid, the local share is $1,210.
Meet the candidates
There are eight candidates running for three seats on the school board. The term length is three years. The candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.
Brian Dingle, current vice president of the BOE, said at the May 2 board meeting that he was not seeking re-election due to health issues.
Wayne Davison Jr.
Biographical details
Baldwinsville has been the home of Wayne and his son Owen since 2008. Wayne has been an active member of the community as a volunteer for many youth sports groups along with an active volunteer for the Baldwinsville Music Department. He studied elementary education and communications at SUNY Cortland and has been a dedicated employee of Rapid Response Monitoring for 18 years. He has served as an alarm dispatcher, shift trainer, shift supervisor and workforce management analyst.
How will your experience serve you on the BOE?
His past experiences and perspective, along with his honest and positive demeanor, would serve him well as a member of the school board. The ability to work well with others would allow him to support both the students and staff with an emphasis on a well rounded and diverse educational experience. He would listen to the concerns of parents and the community to serve as a liaison between them and the school district. The ability to be objective would allow him to keep the best interest of our students and faculty as the priority.
What is one major issue facing your district, and what actions would you take in addressing that issue if you are elected?
Wayne would focus on the mental health and emotional intelligence of the students by encouraging communication and understanding. Educating students on handling difficult situations and preparing them to be our future leaders. Providing a safe learning environment for all students to create a community of lifelong learners.
Where can people learn more about you?
For any questions or for more information please email [email protected], search Facebook for Wayne Davison or check out @vote_davison_2022 on Instagram.
Robert Duke
Biographical details
I’ve lived in Baldwinsville since 2014. My wife is a Baldwinsville graduate and we moved to be close to family and to raise our children. We have one child at Palmer and another due to start kindergarten this year. Our third child will be following his brothers soon.
How will your experience serve you on the BOE?
As an engineer, I have experience solving problems and effectively communicating with clients around the world. Like education, engineering projects require the management of many stakeholders who all want to be successful. This requires a full analysis of project benefits as well as risks and possible negative impacts. In addition, I’ve also spent time volunteering in local schools to introduce students to science and technology, business, and music.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve listened to many parents discuss their concerns about their children’s education. I can serve as an effective voice for parents who feel their views are not considered in current board and administration decisions.
What is one major issue facing your district, and what actions would you take in addressing that issue if you are elected?
I’ve observed a breakdown in communication between the board, the teachers, and the parents. Everyone seems to be assuming the worst intentions of anyone questioning the decisions of all three groups. We need board members, like myself, who can effectively present all sides of an argument in order to ensure the public’s trust is maintained. If we cannot do this, our enrollment numbers will continue to drop, making it even harder to get the funding help we need to improve our infrastructure.
Having the “best interests of our students in mind” is not enough. The school board must independently examine the positive and negative impacts of all curriculum choices made by the district before giving their approval.
Where can people learn more about you?
Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. I would like to hear from everyone in the district: students, alumni, teachers, parents, and Baldwinsville residents. How can I serve you on the school board?
Denise Falso
Biographical details
I have lived in Baldwinsville since 2015 with my husband, Tony, and three children: Enzo (14), Sergio (11), and Giuliana (8). I currently serve on the Baldwinsville BOE and am seeking re-election. I teach science at Fulton Junior High School. I have a B.S. in biology from Le Moyne College and an M.S. in biology/science education from Syracuse University.
How will your experience serve you on the BOE?
I see the district from four perspectives: mom, teacher, community, member/taxpayer, and board member. It takes a large commitment to be an engaged board member, and I have spent the past three years learning about the inner workings of the district. It’s been eye-opening at times. I’ll use my experience to continue to have the board and district be transparent in our/their actions and decisions. I’ll continue to ask questions, even if those questions make some people uncomfortable, so I can make informed decisions. Surprisingly, transparency and purposeful questions from the board have not always been the norm in our district. This new normal we have set is good for our students and taxpayers.
What is one major issue facing your district, and what actions would you take in addressing that issue if you are elected?
We do not know the full extent of the educational learning loss the pandemic has had on our students. This data will be forthcoming. Once we know where students are, we have an engaged board, along with a superintendent, that will use data to help determine how to allocate resources to help all students be successful.
Where can people learn more about you?
Please visit my website to read my position on the capital project, education, challenges, and opportunities of the school district: DeniseFalso.com.
Luke Gasowski
Biographical details
In 2016, my wife (a teacher), along with our two children, moved to Baldwinsville. My daughter attended Van Buren Elementary and is forever 8 after a long, hard, and courageous battle with cancer and was a fighter until her death. My son is 7 and a current student at Van Buren Elementary.
I am a critical care flight paramedic respiratory therapist and clinical base supervisor. I have worked in emergency medical services as a provider, educator, and management leader for the past 20 years. I hold multiple current NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) credentials and advanced certifications.
How will your experience serve you on the BOE?
I am very supportive of our district’s academics and vested in Baldwinsville’s special education program. I have overcome many challenges and critical situations throughout my life and career. I have been able to manage these situations with critical thinking, thinking strategically, as well as creating realistic and actionable plans to solve or capitalize on the opportunities presented. My knowledge, commitment, and experiences can provide a beneficial and meaningful contribution to the school board.
What is one major issue facing your district, and what actions would you take in addressing that issue if you are elected?
The dynamics of living through and coming out of the pandemic has caused economic development, social, and political issues that the school board will need to address. Many of our children in early elementary entered school without pre-K or started school in a remote learning setting. Preschools went through a time of complete closures creating an early education gap for many.
To address this issue will take a multimodal approach of not only academic support, but supporting the mental stability, behavioral, and social-emotional factors that are needed for students. If elected, I will support our teachers, our administration, focus on academic programs, work together with our parents, and use the tools and information we have to maximize our students’ learning and their ability to be successful.
Where can people learn more about you?
Email me at [email protected] or follow Luke Gasowski for School Board on Facebook.
Lyndsey Hodkinson
Biographical details
Since relocating to Baldwinsville in 2018, I have been an active community member — volunteering to coach youth girls lacrosse, sharing opportunities on mental health awareness, and participating in the budget process.
I work at Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families.
How will your experience serve you on the BOE?
When my family was stationed at Fort Drum with the Army, I joined the Board of Education during a vacancy. I believed to make the best decisions for our community, we as board members needed to be present in the schools, learning the unique culture of each building. This gave me the opportunity to listen to teachers and staff and challenged my fellow board members to be more present in the district.
In my professional role I’m charged with listening to communities, understanding their needs, and designing a solution that fits their unique needs. While every community is different and their needs vary, approaching the situation with an open mind to welcome all voices allows for the best informed decision-making process.
What is one major issue facing your district, and what actions would you take in addressing that issue if you are elected?
While our district should be commended on the great work they did to keep students engaged throughout the pandemic, unfortunately we’re seeing first-hand the effects of fully remote learning and isolation from our peers, fellow students, and colleagues.
I would like to hear of the challenges faced in each grade level to fully understand the breadth and then empower our schools to provide additional support where our students need it most — from additional mental health resources, available tutoring, to making training available to aid in de-escalation techniques and anti-bullying education and campaigns.
Where can people learn more about you?
Email me at [email protected] or visit linkedin.com/in/lhodkinson/.
Claudine Holtman
Biographical details
I have resided in Baldwinsville for almost my whole life and am a graduate of Baker High. I am currently employed as a speech therapist in a large special education organization, as well as an early intervention special education teacher with a private agency. I am married to Patrick Holtman, who has been a police officer for over 30 years, and we have two daughters.
How will your experience serve you on the BOE?
I believe my experience as an educator and parent advocate in my professional life will enhance relationships between the BOE and the families the BOE represents. I also believe that my commitment to students and their individualized successes, based on their strengths and needs, will support my role on the BOE.
What is one major issue facing your district, and what actions would you take in addressing that issue if you are elected?
One area that I would like to focus on as a BOE member is improving the district report card in the content areas cited on bville.org. I believe one way of supporting this goal is for the district to focus on classic education for our kids as well as improved collaboration with parents and guardians, early in our students’ lives.
Where can people learn more about you?
For any questions or comments, please reach me at [email protected] and on Facebook at Claudine Pompo Holtman Bville BOE.
Tanya Rosado-Barringer
Biographical details
My husband of 12 years, Jim, and our 10-year-old daughter, Izzy, bought our first home here in Baldwinsville in 2017 to give Izzy a dynamic learning experience.
I volunteer for the Elden PTA, Junior League of Syracuse and NYS TESOL. I have served as an educator for the last 16 years. I am the executive director and coordinator of the Mid-State Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN).
I hold a B.S. in broadcast journalism from Hofstra University with a minor in history, an M.S. in TESOL education from Lehman College, and an M.S. in educational leadership from Bank Street College. I hold a certificate from Bank Street College’s prestigious Bilingual Education Teacher Leadership Academy (BETLA). I am completing my advanced studies at Niagara University in educational leadership.
How will your experience serve you on the BOE?
My service as an appointed B’ville board member from December 2020 to June 2021, along with my diverse professional experiences in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, brings a wide range of skills such as leadership, collaboration, cooperation, listening, honoring divergent opinions, transparency and accountability.
What is one major issue facing your district, and what actions would you take in addressing that issue if you are elected?
My role in the last eight years has provided unique insight into understanding the systems responsible for the safety and education of all students. The center of this work is ensuring that student voice and agency are paramount and creating educational environments that are welcoming and affirming for all students.
We are currently a targeted district where specific student groups are not reaching their fullest potential. The BOE must ensure that leaders and educators have the tools, resources, respect, and a positive, growth-producing space that promotes reflection, innovative planning, and collaboration.
Where can people learn more about you?
Email me at [email protected] or follow Facebook.com/Tanya RosadoBarringer or @tbarringer2 on Twitter.
Sherry “Sam” Schraven
Biographical details
I have lived in the Baldwinsville community for almost 40 years. It’s where my husband Tom grew up and where we raised our two adult daughters. My husband and daughters are graduates of Baker High School. I am a graduate of Mohawk Valley Community College and retired from the Baldwinsville School District after 27 years of service. I held the positions of job coach, teaching assistant, and employment services specialist. While employed, I served as president of the Baldwinsville Educational Support Professional Association (BESPA).
How will your experience serve you on the BOE?
While working in the school district, I gained valuable experience by working closely with students, teachers, support staff, administration, parents and local businesses. From this experience, I was able to help all students get the most out of their education and feel like they had the necessary support from the programs and services within the district.
I also served on various district committees. I gained valuable insight from each of these that provided me with a holistic view of the strategic plans and goals of the district. I was able to leverage my point of view and help to represent the critical needs of the students and teachers.
What is one major issue facing your district, and what actions would you take in addressing that issue if you are elected?
My top priority would be to address the aging infrastructure of the district. The current configuration of space has impacted several important areas of focus including mental wellness, delivery of special education services, access to more pre-K programs, expansion of STEM courses and hands-on vocational training. I would prioritize future capital projects while being fiscally responsible to our taxpayers, so that the district can reinvest in these important programs.
Where can people learn more about you?
Please visit samschraven.com.
