School Budgets Up For Vote Tuesday
Published: May 19th, 2008
By: Michael McGuire

CHENANGO COUNTY – Voters across Chenango County and the state will head to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots on proposed 2008-2009 school budgets developed by local districts.

Many district administrators blame high fuel and insurance costs for budget increases this year.

Here’s a glance at local school budgets:

• Afton Central Schools voters will decide on a $14,108,903 spending plan for next year. That represents a 3.84 percent tax levy increase.

Overall, it’s a $628,813, or 4.66 percent increase over the 2007-08 budget.

School Board members and Superintendent Elizabeth Briggs say they “worked hard” to keep the budget below the cost of living index, which is 3.98 percent.

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There will be cuts in some areas, including elementary summer school, travel/conferences, four aid positions, athletics, and some equipment and supplies.

There is one proposition on the ballot to purchase a 27-passenger bus with wheelchair capability at an amount not to exceed $96,000. State transportation aid will reimburse the school for 90 percent of the cost.

• Bainbridge-Guilford Central Schools is presenting a budget of $16,501,488 for 2008-09. That represents a 5.5 percent budget increase and a 1.9 percent tax levy increase.

The budget allows the district to continue present programs and adds one Math/Computer Technology teacher, Superintendent Karl Brown said, adding that there is funding to cover increasing special education enrollments and contractual obligations for faculty and staff.

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