School budgets, propositions, BOE candidates all on ballot today

The five school districts in Orleans County will ask for the blessing of local voters today for school funding, candidates to serve on the Board of Education and several other propositions, including library funding and new buses.

Here is a snapshot of each district:

Albion proposes $14M capital project and budget that cuts taxes

ALBION – The school district is proposing a $14.3 million capitol project on Tuesday that will address numerous maintenance issues and infrastructure upgrades.

The project includes work in the elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as the bus garage and athletic facilities.

The $14,370,548 project for building reconstruction, energy and safety improvements will be 91 percent covered by state funds. The district has its 9 percent share, $1,286,000, already in a local reserve fund, school officials said.

Residents will also vote on a proposed $33,240,940 budget reduces spending by $310,111 or 0.92 percent. The tax levy would drop by 1 percent to $8,355,939.

The budget vote also includes propositions to spend $460,000 for buses and $680,411 to be collected for Hoag Library.

There are two five-year positions up for election in Albion. Marie Snyder is seeking re-election while John King is not. Chantelle Sacco is seeking the other position and is unopposed.

Voting for the project, budget and other propositions will be from noon to 8 p.m. in the elementary school’s Conference Room A near the community entrance in the back of the school.

Holley school budget holds tax levy steady; Write-ins will determine one BOE position

HOLLEY – The school district is cutting its budget by about $1.7 million to $23,300,000. The budget keeps the tax levy unchanged at $6,741,780.

Residents will vote on the budget, Board of Education candidates and other propositions from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Holley Middle School/High School Foyer.

The proposition authorizing the purchase of school buses includes the purchase of two full-size school buses, one wheelchair bus and one 30-passenger school bus at a total cost not to exceed $355,000.

The proposition in support of the Community Free Library authorizes the district to raise $108,072 to be used in support of the maintenance and operations of the library in Holley.

In addition, residents will be voting on three Board of Education seats, with one to be decided by write-in votes. The three-year terms of office of current board members Mark Porter, John C. (Jack) Welch and Anne Winkley expire on June 30. Winkley and Porter are seeking re-election. No candidates submitted petitions for the third seat.

Kendall budget doesn’t increase taxes

KENDALL – Kendall residents will vote on a $15,065,842 budget that increases spending by 1.6 percent but keeps the tax levy unchanged.

Proposition 2 would create a school bus replacement reserve fund not to exceed $100,000 annually.

Proposition 3 would allow the purchase of school buses to replace existing vehicles at a sum not to exceed $250,000.

Proposition 4 would allow the creation of a capital improvement reserve fund not to exceed $5 million. Propositions 2, 3, and 4 will have no additional taxes if approved, the district said.

Proposition 5 is the election of one, five-year term member to the Board of Education. Current School Board President Nadine Hanlon is the incumbent and is seeking re-election. She is the only candidate for the open seat.

The vote will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Kendall Elementary School gymnasium.

Lyndonville proposes 5.4% tax cut

LYNDONVILLE – The school district’s proposed $13,253,892 budget increases spending by 0.5 percent, but taxes would be cut by 5.35 percent or by $250,000 to $4,416,578.

Other propositions include $90,653 for Yates Community Library (up from $84,637) and authorization to purchase one 66-seat bus at a maximum $105,000.

Three people are running unopposed for three-year terms to the Board of Education: incumbents Ted Lewis and Michelle Dillenbeck, and Kelly Cousins.

Voting will be from 1 to 9 p.m. at elementary library.

Several candidates seek BOE in Medina; No tax increase

MEDINA – Residents will vote on a $34,802,870 budget that increases spending by 0.94 percent but keeps taxes the same.

The budget maintains existing programming and will increase enrichment offerings in the elementary and middle school.

The budget includes vehicles purchases, which used to be a separate proposition. Taking those out of the regular budget would show a $25,124 decrease compared to the 2014-15 budget, said David Boyle, the district’s interim business administrator.
Medina is the only district with a surplus of candidates for the Board of Education.

The district has five candidates seeking three terms that are three years each. Ann Bunch, Carol Heiligenthaler and Renee Paser-Paull all have terms up for election. Bunch and Paser-Paull are seeking re-election while Heiligenthaler, a former board president, has decided against another term.

Three other candidates – Danielle Class, Brian Koch and former board member Virginia Nicholson – are on the ballot.

Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Office.