Voters in Central New York and across the state this week maintained the trend of approving nearly all of their school district budgets. This marked the 8th year of budgets with the state’s property tax cap in place.
Executive Director of the New York State School Boards Association Tim Kremer says most districts are managing, though they may not be happy as they try to make ends meet.
"We have health care costs, special education costs, new challenges with English language learners, energy costs, all of our bargained contracts, any services that we're purchasing are going up in cost."
Kremer says 18 districts statewide, but none in Central New York, chose to try and pierce the cap; just over half were approved. Those that failed will go back to voters next month. Kremer says he’s seen some creative, persuasive campaigns to urge residents to approve spending that pierces the cap.
"If they have some extraordinary circumstances, and they're really trying to update and modernize their programs, they're trying to meet some very special needs, the community sees that this is an honorable and appropriate way of spending money and directing resources, we have found the community will be there for us."
Voters also chose school board members. But Kremer says 37 districts, mainly in rural areas, didn't have enough candidates to fill all board seats. He says their roles can’t be underestimated.
"Just think of the impact of the decisions. They often times are the biggest payroll, they have the most buildings, they have the biggest transportation services, they have the largest food service in the community, all kinds of things that have a huge impact on the people who live and work in that community."
Not to mention, Kremer says, preparing children for their futures. He says the tax cap has made budgets more predictable, so fewer people are turning out at the polls unless there’s some controversy. That's what happened in the West Genesee School District, where two incumbents lost their seats, perhaps attributed to how the board handled allegations that former Superintendent Chris Brown had a relationship with a principal. He resigned, and she was fired.
