Broadalbin-Perth budget defeated by voters
By ZACH SUBAR, The Leader-HeraldArticle Photos
BROADALBIN - Broadalbin-Perth Central School District residents rejected a proposed $28 million budget Tuesday and replaced an 18-year school board veteran.
The proposed budget, which carried an estimated 13.9 percent tax levy increase and included teacher layoffs, was voted down by a count of 768-684. It was the only budget voted down among Fulton County's school districts and was the second straight B-P budget rejected by district residents.
"It's tough," said Superintendent Stephen Tomlinson. "Certainly, the district is a very strong district, and we will move forward."
Budgets from the Mayfield, Northville and Oppenheim-Ephratah Central School Districts, as well as a budget from the Wheelerville Union Free School, passed, as did a budget from the Wells Central School District in southern Hamilton County.
Voters at Broadalbin-Perth also voted out Board President Sam Jackling, who has been a board member for 18 years. His five-year seat will be filled by Ed Szumowski, who received 935 votes.
Joe Renaud, who received the second-highest total of votes, will fill a one-year board slot that is a continuation of former board member Thomas Hart's unexpired term. Renaud's 778 votes trumped Jackling's 717.
"I'm more disappointed the budget went down," Jackling said Tuesday night.
The board can now do one of three things: put the same budget back up for a second vote, cut the budget further and put it up to a vote, or adopt a contingency budget. Contingency budgets are prepared according to a state formula; in some cases, they can be larger than the proposed budgets they replace.
Tomlinson said a special board meeting will take place Thursday morning to determine the district's next course of action. He said it was impossible for him to know what course the board might take.
The district conducted numerous public forums and budget meetings before Tuesday's vote, and Tomlinson said he was content with the way voters had spoken out.
"What we are pleased with is that so many people came out and expressed their opinions," Tomlinson said.
The budget proposal included 19 layoffs, including 10 teachers.
Voters approved a proposition that will allow the district to buy three new 66-passenger buses.
In other districts in Fulton, Montgomery and Hamilton counties:
Mayfield
Voters approved the Mayfield Central School District's $17 million budget by a vote of 292-137.
The budget calls for a 2.9 percent tax levy increase. Voters also approved a proposition that will allow the district to create and fund a bus reserve account with a $1 million limit and re-elected Board President Ernest Clapper. Clapper received 355 votes, while challenger Frederick Castiglione received 65.
Northville
The Northville Central School District's $9.3 million budget was approved by a vote of 255-142.
The budget carries a 3.5 percent tax levy increase. Voters passed the library budget by a count of 236-142, approved the purchase of school buses and a minivan 241-123, and elected newcomer Kirianne Weaver to the board.
Oppenheim-Ephratah
The Oppenheim-Ephratah Central School District's $8.3 million budget was approved by voters by a count of 106-97.
The budget calls for a 1.5 percent tax levy increase. Residents also elected incumbent David Rackmyre and newcomer Jennifer Frasier to the board.
Wheelerville
Wheelerville Union Free School voters approved a $4.1 million budget that carries a 4.5 percent tax levy decrease by a vote of 98-18.
Frances Miller and Judi Kane, both incumbents running unopposed, won re-election to the board.
Wells
Voters in the Wells Central School District approved a $4.9 million budget by a count of 122-70.
The budget carries a 7.9 percent tax levy increase. Newcomer David Woodward won a board seat that was vacated by Avis Warner.
Fonda-Fultonville
After the final votes were tallied, Fonda-Fultonville Central School District Superintendent James Hoffman was able to breathe a sigh of relief two propositions were ratified by the district's voters.
The $25.7 million budget was approved by a margin of 226-104. The budget calls for a 2.9 percent tax levy increase and $443,110 in additional spending.
District voters also approved the proposition allocating $13,500 to the Frothingham Free Library in Fonda and $3,800 to the Fort Hunter Free Library, 262-61.
"You always hope the voters agree with you and I'm glad that they did," Hoffman said.
The district involved many additional people in the budget process this year, he said.
"It was a phenomenal collaborative effort on the part of all involved," Board of Education Vice President Carol DeBonte said.
Sitting school board President Rodney Simonds and DeBonte were re-elected to three-year terms with 251 and 230 votes, respectively. Connie Conte was elected to the board with 207 votes. Conte will take over the seat currently occupied by Joan Kark-Wren, who didn't seek re-election.
Fort Plain
The Fort Plain Central School District's 2009-10 budget was approved by the voters, but they weren't as kind to the bus proposition.
Fort Plain's proposed $17.46 million budget was ratified, 344-301. The budget calls for a 1.1 percent spending increase over this year and carries a 0.02 percent tax levy increase.
The $485,000 bus proposition, which called for the district to buy three full-size buses and one half-size bus with a wheelchair lift and flexible floor plan, and one smaller passenger vehicle was defeated by 28 votes, 327-299.
Louis "Rusty" Capece was elected to the school board with 407 votes and incumbent Mary Beth Hudyncia was re-elected with 346 votes. Both will serve three-year terms. Jeffrey Jones received 337 votes and Dianne Raffa tallied 176.
Canajoharie
Canajoharie Central School District residents approved the district's $18.8 million 2009-10 spending plan 365-247.
The approved budget is up 6.37 percent from the 2008-09 budget and carries a tax levy of $6.2 million, which is a 4.2 percent increase over the current budget.
Incumbent school board Vice President Eric Trahan ran unopposed and will begin another a five-year term.
St. Johnsville
The St. Johnsville Central School District's $9.4 million budget proposal for 2009-10 was approved 194-166.
The $2.3 million tax levy calls for a 1.91 percent increase from the current budget.
Patricia Christensen was elected to the Board of Education.
Amsterdam
The Greater Amsterdam Central School District's $55.3 million budget for 2009-10 was voted down 831-799, with two additional propositions also failing to get approval.
The district's $68,600 proposal to purchase two Chevrolet Suburban buses failed 944-600, and an annual tax levy to support the Walter Elwood museum was shot down, 1,029-531.
Gina DeRossi was re-elected to the Board of Education with 1,006 votes and Raymond Crosby was elected to the seat being vacated by James Walrath, who did not seek re-election, with 603 votes. Ann Peconie received 542 votes and Amy Motyl received 531.
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GoGreen
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05-21-09 7:15 PM
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I have been keeping track of all this "budget talk" for a while now.I have read all the articles and the comments.I do believe that BP is a very good school district. The BOE is looking for suggestions. As the only school in Fulton County with a defeated budget I think we have to work together and come up with a solution that works good for all. By slapping the contingency onto the taxpayers without a re-vote would tarnish the schools BOE and district. BP is in the spot light right now with much focus put on us - lets show the others how good we are and come up with a good deal.
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thinkaboutit
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05-21-09 10:57 AM
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WAKEFIELD...I must admit I haven't liked your tactics in the past... but your speaking common sense now... do it in an adult way instead of trying to destroy people...I may come across as though I like taxes... I abhor them as much as anyone... however it is still my belief that the board and administration has done the best job possible with what they have to work with..obviously there are many factors as stated that come into the picture..state mandates... teacher unions.... etc......etc.........etc....that the board or administration has NO control over..
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PChizek
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05-21-09 10:54 AM
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the best way is to come to the next Board meeting to discuss. I believe we are meeting next Tuesday.
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Wakefield
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05-21-09 10:46 AM
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PChizek I agree with your comment 100% on coming together to develop a ideas that could work to solve this issue. When can we sit down together? How about inviting Thinkaboutit as well and any others that would like to attend. Maybe then we can have a forum that will produce results. Have the BOE set up a round table meeting with selected invitees and lets start doing this the right way, bring in people from all sides. I have 14 years ahead of me in the school district and I am not going away.
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thinkaboutit
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05-21-09 10:43 AM
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I guess that leaves just me and disco... now what will I do....
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thinkaboutit
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05-21-09 10:36 AM
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ataxpayer... I DO agree with you on the issue you are talking about... I certainly don't agree with most of your positions.. however I do applaud you for stating them and standing by them... good luck
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ataxpayer
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05-21-09 10:27 AM
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PC - appreciate you coming to the public for ideas. This has all been a wild ride - but one recent, uncalled (not budget related) comment on here really disturbed me - and for this I will not be a part of this blogging anymore. I don't mind debating issues, but other things I can do without. I wish the district luck in the decisions they have to work through. To all the bloggers - Please do not believe everything you read on here - people do not deserve to be attacked or humiliated in that way. Good Luck To All!
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thinkaboutit
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05-21-09 10:25 AM
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ireaditinthepress... I TOTALLY agree with you... however by your screen name... DON'T believe a thing you read in the press..
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thinkaboutit
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05-21-09 9:54 AM
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VERY GOOD PCHIZEK.. as you stated most people on here don't have a clue as to what goes into a budget or running a school district...Also would like to thank Sam for his years of service and keeping the taxpayers at the top of his list...
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Discobulous
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05-21-09 9:53 AM
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When do the new school board memebers assume their duties/ IE when does Jasksnipe go jacking down the road?
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PChizek
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05-21-09 9:51 AM
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I would agree but i wanted to ask them the question becasue like some one had mentioned earlier people don't understand what goes into making up a schools budget. I think it time to STOP all the finger pointing and sit down like adults and figure this out together, not in separate pockets all working against each other to try and PROVE something. One further comment and then i will probably be done posting, for now! I would like to thank Sam J for is 18 years of service to the district. agree or disagree with him he always had and will always have the best interest of the district in mind.
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thinkaboutit
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05-21-09 9:35 AM
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PCHIZEK... I fear that most people on this blog would like to do all of the above and gut our school system as we know it.
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PChizek
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05-21-09 9:21 AM
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A lot of you have spoken with you Vote now tell us where you think we should cut and how deeply. I see a lot of complaining but NO REAL constructive idea's on where to cut. Do we eliminate more teachers? Do we do away with Sports? Do we eliminate Busing for students less than 2 miles from school? Those are the only type of things we can eliminate at this point. We can't save money on the salaries or benefits of the Staff as they have contracts. I would love to hear some of that type of talk and not just complaining that Taxes are too high. Give examples of what you are looking for and not just generalizations like “cut our taxes “
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ataxpayer
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05-21-09 9:12 AM
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thinkaboutit - Agree - that comment was uncalled for and a little embarrassing for me. Bloggers - Please - lets keep it clean.
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thinkaboutit
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05-21-09 9:08 AM
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AND don't gloat to much just yet.... we will see the future just how good the new board does... after all out problems as you state taxpayer haven't even begun yet as far as the economy and dollars coming in....
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thinkaboutit
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05-21-09 9:06 AM
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You are right taxpayer. blogger do attact ... just read zeno for one....uncalled for and beyond the pale...If I were MR Tomlinson I would definately go to the leader get his name and sue.... completely uncalled for...
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ataxpayer
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05-21-09 9:03 AM
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firemanswife - we did do good didn't we - but brace yourself - bloggers do attack and name call on here.
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firemanswife
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05-21-09 8:51 AM
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All I have to say is congratulations to Broadalbin-Perth voters. Finally, you got rid of Jackling. Now all we have to do is elminate Tomlinson. Also, congratulations to the new members of the school board and I hope all of you can work together to get this school system back to the was it was years ago, where everyone worked together.
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ataxpayer
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05-21-09 8:35 AM
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Zena - lets just drop that whole topic - it's really unfair and uncalled for on here.
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ataxpayer
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05-21-09 8:30 AM
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Oh dear - Zena - that's a little too much info for me. But we all know these things [have]happen[ed] in this district - unfortunately they happen in other districts too. Maybe because the teachers spend so much more time with the students than their parents do (as stated previously in a blog).
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thinkaboutit
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05-21-09 8:08 AM
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zena01.... WOW people say not to use the word ignorant on here.... WELL YOUR STATEMENT IS PURE IGNORANT....and GET OVER THE MERGER... IT HAPPENED 20 YEARS AGO THAT WON'T CHANGE.
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thinkaboutit
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05-21-09 7:59 AM
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I would also like to recommend that those of you who believe the board has done the best job they could do on the budget with what they have to work with contact bpboe@bpcsd and recommend they adopt the contingency budget and not waste our taxpayer dollar on a revote..
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thinkaboutit
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05-21-09 7:29 AM
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I wouldn't gloat to much as to them not knowing what direction to go in..they have done a great job in the past for the taxpayer and will do a great job in the future.
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thinkaboutit
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05-21-09 7:15 AM
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Wakefield... I can't say as I agree with ataxpayer but I do think you did a Great and effective job in demonizing and crucifying Mr Jackling and Mr Tomlinson..The Leader did their part also as usual printing only PART of the story...why didn't they publish as the RECORDER did the tax rates of other districts and pay rates of other district so the public could see how B-P stands with them.As stated last nite 97% of the districts voted their budgets in when most of them had 4% super raises and also layoffs...I guess overstated..B-P has the lowest tax rate in the area.. the lowest paid Super in the area.. does that count for fiscal management..?? gues not in most peoples eyes...
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Wakefield
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05-20-09 11:27 PM
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Time? Hmm that is a good question, I couldn't should say didn't get that out of them. I would have tried to find out today but I was out of town on business. If I knew what time I'd be there just because whether I could get in or not!
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