Next Tuesday, May 17, Cazenovia Central School District residents will go to the polls to either accept or reject the district’s proposed 2016-17 budget, to approve or not the purchase of four school buses and to elect two members of the board of education. We encourage our readers to vote in favor of the budget, which we see as a well-crafted, responsible proposal that includes no cuts to programs or personnel and no district tax rate increase.
The district’s $28 million proposed budget funds all current district programs, does not exceed this year’s state-mandated tax cap of zero percent and uses no district reserve funds. The budget also refills two teaching positions in the music department that saw retirements this year, reinstates a middle school media specialist (librarian) position that was eliminated years ago due to budget stress and increases an elementary school social worker position from part time to full time.
We know the district administration worked hard to create this budget, starting with an initial assumption of a $400,000 deficit, and that the board of education deliberated about it thoroughly. The past two board meetings on the subject were attended by community members, teachers and students, all who wanted to understand the proposal and offer input. The May 10 public hearing on the budget occurred after press time.
The two incumbent board members running for reelection, Kathy Hahn and Lisa Lounsbury, are running unopposed and, while the lack of electoral competition is always something to be lamented — no matter who the candidates — at least we can all feel confident that they have done a great job so far, and will continue to be strong board members.
The public vote to approve or reject the budget is scheduled to occur from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, in the middle school auxiliary gym. The board of education will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. that night and then adjourn to the ballot location to approve the outcome of the election.
