CAZENOVIA — On May 17, voters in the Cazenovia Central School District (CCSD) approved a proposed $34,372,000 school budget and two additional propositions. They also elected incumbent Jennifer Parmalee and newcomer Judith Hight to the CCSD Board of Education (BOE)
The 2022-23 budget was approved by a vote of 720 to 377.
The budget, which represents a 4.64 percent spending increase, is supported by a 2.33 percent tax levy increase, which is at the New York State tax levy limit.
Residents also authorized the purchase of three 65-passenger replacement school buses (gas) at a total maximum cost of $347,883 and authorized the levy of a library tax to support the Cazenovia Public Library in the amount of $470,038.68 and the New Woodstock Free Library in the amount of $182,285 for a total of $652,323.68.
The bus proposition was approved by a vote of 733 to 367, and the library proposition passed by a vote of 877 to 222.
“As a school district, we cannot thank our community enough for their support of our students and schools,” said Superintendent Chris DiFulvio. “The results emphasize how vital our schools are to our community.”
Three individuals ran for two BOE seats that are currently occupied by Parmalee and Kathy Hahn.
Parmalee was reelected with 594 votes and Hight was elected with 721 votes. Jack Sessler, the third candidate, received 515 votes.
“Thank you to the over 1,000 voters that showed up for our kids last night,” Parmalee said on May 18. “This community’s dedication to our children is tremendous. I am grateful for the public’s trust put in me to continue on the board and welcome new board member Judith Hight.”
Hight also thanked the voters for their support.
“The turnout of over a thousand people indicated that people were strongly invested in the future of our schools and were looking for a candidate that would make sure they had a place at the table,” she said. “I am very excited to begin my service to educators, kids and families in our district, forging stronger partnerships in the interest of success for every student.”
The BOE is the official policy-making body of the school district. The board is composed of seven members who serve a three-year term of office without pay.
Parmalee and Hight’s terms will begin at the July 11 reorganizational meeting.
“Thank you to the community for supporting this year’s budget, as well as the proposition for the bus replacements,” said BOE President David Mehlbaum. “Congratulations to Jen Parmalee on her re-election and to Judith Hight for her election to the board.”
BOE meetings are generally held on the third Monday of each month in the Board Meeting Room in the District Office in the Middle School. Meeting dates are listed on the district website and on the school calendar.
For more information, visit cazenoviacsd.com/board-of-education.
