Several CNY school budgets rejected despite high statewide approval rate

WAER | By Robert Beck

Published May 21, 2025 at 2:16 PM EDT

A maroon and white yard sign stating "Support our kids (check box in a square) Vote yes for the school budget. All text except the word "vote" is in CAPS. — While most school budgets passed across New York, five Central New York districts must now consider next steps after budget defeats.

While voters approved 97% of school district budgets this week, there were notable failures. Jordan-Elbridge, Central Square, Vernon Verona Sherrill, Cazenovia Central, and Cortland Enlarged City school districts all saw budgets defeated.

By law they can try again with this or a revised budget. If that fails, they will have to work under a contingency budget or develop a contingency budget for teacher salaries and normal operating expenses. The date for a second budget vote is June 17.

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Robert Beck

Bob Beck, a veteran media professional, currently serves as a part-time editor/host at WAER Public Radio and an adjunct professor at Syracuse University. Beck retired as News Director at Wyoming Public Radio in 2022 after 34 years. During his time, Beck won 5 regional Edward R. Murrow awards and 5 Public Media Journalists Association awards for reporting. He also won 11 PMJA awards for the news and public affairs program Open Spaces. He was awarded the Wyoming School Bell award for education reporting and was part of two Emmy Award winning television productions. You can find him on X under the name @butterbob.

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