Albion school budget passes; Wadhams and Ocie Bennett elected to BOE
ALBION – Voters approved a proposed $38,298,690 school budget today with a 406-98 margin, and also elected Wayne Wadhams to the Board of Education as well as Ocie Bennett Jr., who was a write-in candidate.
Wadhams received 394 votes and Bennett 347. Kevin Doherty, a former board member, received 156 votes. Wadhams and Bennett start five-year terms on July 1. Wadhams is a retired Albion teacher and Bennett worked 20 years for Albion as an aide, teacher assistant and coach. He now works for Vertus High School in Rochester as a physical education teacher and football coach.
The school budget doesn’t increase taxes. The budget keeps the tax levy at $8,449,039. This is the 14th time in the past 16 years the taxes haven’t gone up.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to come out and vote today,” said Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent. “Support from the community is vital to continuing the success of our students and staff here at Albion. We look forward to another great year ahead with the passing of the 2022-2023 budget.”
Voters also approved the following propositions:
- Bus purchases at $550,000 – 427 yes votes, 72 no votes.
- Hoag Library funding at $648,964 – 380 yes votes, 124 no votes
- New capital reserve fund – 394 yes votes, 106 no votes