Voters Reject 2024-25 School Budget Proposal; Elect 3 Board Members

On May 21, Cazenovia Central School District voters rejected the district’s proposed $38.8 million spending plan for the 2024-25 school year. It carried an estimated 5.84% tax levy increase.
 
Voters rejected the budget with a vote of 1164-832, which is a 58% approval. A supermajority of 60% was required for it to pass because the proposed tax levy increase exceeded the district’s calculated tax levy limit. The district exceeded the limit in an effort to balance the budget without making significant program and staff cuts.
 
When a proposed school budget is defeated at the polls, the board of education has three options, according to state law. Board members may decide to put the same budget up for vote a second time, put a revised budget up for vote or go directly to a contingent budget.

If voters reject the budget proposal a second time, the board must enact a contingent budget without a tax levy increase. Cazenovia Central School District would have to cut all non contingent expenses ($1,284,851) from its spending proposal.

“I think it is important for the community to know that if we have to go to a contingency budget, the district will be forced to recommend cuts to academics, extracurricular, fine arts and athletics. A contingency budget could also require the district to charge all community groups for facility use or close facilities for any outside use,” said Superintendent Christopher DiFulvio. "I am disheartened by the outcome of the budget proposition. Administrators plan to put together a revised proposal for the board of education that continues to put students first.”

The administration and board of education will meet to determine which of the three options will be taken. The district will continue to provide the community with updates as this process continues. The statewide school budget revote day is June 18.

In addition to the budget proposal, the ballot included two other propositions and the board of education election.  

Bus purchase passed  
Purchasing three new school buses at a total cost not to exceed $533,102: 1326 yes; 659 no  

Library funding passed  Funding the Cazenovia Public Library and Woodstock Free Library for $707,236: 1478 yes; 511 no  

Board of Education election results  
Voters elected the following three candidates to the Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education for three-year terms beginning July 1, 2024.  

•    Ron Luteran (1556 votes)
•    JoAnne Race (1528 votes)  
•    Travis Barr-Longo (997 votes)  
•    Paul McMurtrie (958 votes)