A preview of school elections in Erie County
Voters go to the polls Tuesday to decide the fate of school budgets and propositions and to elect members to their districts school boards
This is not what school boards and administrators thought May 19 would feel like this year.
In December and January, with the economy in free fall and predictions of historically large state budget deficits, school districts began preparing for either huge tax increases or massive staff reductions.
But the infusion of federal stimulus funds not only made those moves lagely unnecessary, it served to keep tax increases lower than in recent years.
Voters across Erie County will head to the polls Tuesday to consider budgets that will increase their taxes by less than 2 percent in many cases.
The following is a roundup of the ballot measures in the districts outside the city of Buffalo. All tax rates are estimates and tax bills therefore can change before they are finalized later this year.
The estimated tax bill on a $100,000 market value home does not include the STAR exemption or any of the other exemptions availble to property owners.
Akron
Candidates: (Elect 2): Thomas Weeks (i), Daniel Caprio (i), Jody Brege.
Total budget: $27 million, up 0.79 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $14.90 for Newstead and Clarence; $28.11 for Alden; $17.43 for Royalton, Lockport, Alabama and Pembroke. Tax rate increases range from 1.28 to 3.11 percent.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes:
$8,073,728, up 2.7 percent. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,490 in Newstead.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 29.7 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 53.8 percent.
Proposition 2: Expands transportation limitations for pupils in kindergarten through grade five to include those residing zero to 15 miles from the school they legally attend.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p. m. in Rooms 157 and 158 of Akron High School, 47 Bloomingdale Ave.
Web link: www.akronschools.org
When voters go to the polls, they will consider a $27 million budget that would increase spending by $213,184 over the current budget. Voters also will elect two to the sevenmember School Board. There are three candidates running for three-year terms:
Incumbent Thomas Weeks, appointed in mid-2006 to fill a vacancy and elected to a two-year term in 2007.
Incumbent Daniel Caprio, seeking a second term.
Jody Brege.
Alden
Candidates: (Elect 2): Paul Hutschenreuter (i), Roseanne Johnson.
Total budget: $31.2 million, up 2.9 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $33.37 in the Town
of Alden, a 3.5 percent increase. Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $12.3
million, a 3.5 percent increase. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,768 in the Town of
Alden. Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 47 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 48 percent.
Polls open: 6 a. m. to 9 p. m. in Alden High School, 13190 Park St.
Web link: aldenschools.org.
Alden is proposing a $31.2 million spending plan thats an increase of 2.9 percent. The tax rates vary among municipalities, but Town of Alden residents will see a 3.5 percent increase in their property tax rate. Paul Hutschenreuter, seeking his third term on the board, and newcomer Roseanne Johnson, looking to fill the seat of William Rutan, are unopposed for the School Board.
Amherst
Candidates: (Elect 4): William T. Blanford (i), David A. Stocking (i), Brian D. Gwitt. A write-in will fill the fourth seat.
Total budget: $43.6 million, up 2.34 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $18.50, decrease of
9.6 percent. Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $27.39
million, up 3.97 percent. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,850.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 62.76 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 26.37 percent. Polls open: 7 a. m. to 9 p. m. in the South Gymnasium of Amherst Central High School, 4301 Main St.
Web link: www.amherstschools.org .
When voters go to the polls, they will consider a $43.6 million budget that would increase spending by $996,693 over the current budget. Voters will also fill four School Board seats. The top three vote-getters will serve three-year terms. The fourth will serve one year and 42 days left on the seat to which Toby Horowitz was appointed in June 2008. She and fellow incumbent Michele Flint are not running. Candidates are William T. Blanford, seeking election to a sixth term; David
A. Stocking, running for a fifth term; and Brian D. Gwitt. The fourth seat will be filled by a write-in.
Cheektowaga
Candidates: (Elect 2): Walter R. Burgett (i), Raymond L. Carr (i).
Total budget: $38.6 million, up 4.95 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $25.93, no change.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $20 million,
no change. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,608.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 52 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 37 percent.
Proposition 2: Continue the practice of selecting a high school student to serve as an ex officio nonvoting member of the Board of Education.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p. m. in the High School, 3600 Union Road, Cheektowaga.
Residents in the Cheektowaga Central School District will vote on a $38.6 million budget that will leave their tax rate unchanged from last year. The proposed spending plan is an increase of $1.8 million, or 4.95 percent over the current year, but the tax rate will remain at $25.93 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, according to Cheektowaga Assistant Superintendent for Business, Dennis Kane. Incumbents Raymond L. Carr, 75, a retired businessman who is seeking his seventh term, and Walter R. Burgett, 41, an employee of the Erie County Department of Social Services, are unopposed for five-year School Board terms.
Cheektowaga Sloan
Candidates: (Elect 1) Denise McCowan. (Elect 1): Mark Marek, Peter Melin and Sandra Kuzara.
Total budget: $31.17 million, up 2.89 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $43.89 for Cheektowaga, $56.09 for West Seneca, up 1.43 percent.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $12.51
million, up 1.4 percent. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $2,721.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 40 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 48 percent.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p. m. in John
F. Kennedy High School, 305 Cayuga
Creek Road. Web link: www.sloanschools.org Current programs would continue under the $31.17 million budget that voters will consider. The budget increases spending less than 3 percent, while raising taxes less than 2
percent. Running unopposed for School Board are:
Denise McCowan, 42, who was appointed
in October to fill the seat held by Thomas DelBello. There are
two years remaining in the term. Vying for the seat being vacated by Daniel M. Lach are:
Mark Marek, 24, a teacher who is a 2003 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School.
Peter Melin, 47, a Cheektowaga attorney.
Sandra Kuzara 44, a prekindergarten teacher at Carousel Nursery School in Lancaster.
Clarence
Candidates: (Elect 2): Susan Altman (i) and Jack Semler (i).
Total budget: $70.19 million, up 1.82 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $14.72 for Clarence, $16 for Amherst, $15.83 for Lancaster and $14.72 for Newstead, no change.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $37.97
million, no change. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,473.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 54 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 32 percent.
Polls open: 7 a. m. to 9 p. m., Clarence High School gym, 9625 Main St.
Web link: www.clarenceschools.org
Clarence Centrals work force will be about 2 percent smaller under the proposed budget, which increases spending less than 2 percent. Many of the staff reductions will come through attrition. Other cuts will require some modifications to the elementary enrichment program, and elementary and middle school summer school programs. Supplies are being cut by 20 percent. Incumbent Susan Altman, 48, and Jack Semler, 56, are unopposed for reelection to the School Board.
Cleveland Hill
Candidates: (Elect 2): Thomas S. Kulaszewski (i) and Mary E. Metzger (i).
Total budget: $28.53 million, up 2.79 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $41.28, up 2.97 percent.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $10.88
million, up 4 percent. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $2,766.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 39.39 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 46.86 percent.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p. m. in the high school auditorium foyer, 105 Mapleview Road.
Web link: www.clevehill.wnyric.org/
When voters go to the polls, they will consider a $28.53 million budget that would increase spending by $773,765 over the current budget. Voters also will elect two people to the five-member School Board. The two incumbents are unchallenged in their bids for another three-year term. They are:
Thomas S. Kulaszewski, currently serving as vice president, seeking his fifth term.
Mary E. Metzger, wrapping up her first term on the board.
Depew
Candidates: (Elect 2): Timothy Schunk (I) Melissa Frawley, June Bosworth and David Sheff.
Total budget: $39 million, up 7.01
percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $32.26 for Cheektowaga and $21.51 for Lancaster, both up less than 1 percent.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $15 million,
up less than 1 percent. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $2,006
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 38.3 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 47.8 percent.
Proposition 2: Create a reserve fund of $5 million for capital projects.
Proposition 3: Create a reserve fund of $2.2 million for vehicle purchases.
Proposition 4: Create a reserve fund of $150,000 for repairs to buildings and equipment.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p. m. in Cayuga Heights Elementary School, 1780 Como Park Blvd.
Web link: www.depewschools.org .
When voters go to the polls, they will consider a $39 million budget that would increase spending by $2.55 million over the current budget. Voters also will elect two to the sevenmember School Board. There are four candidates running for three-year terms.
They are: incumbent Timothy Schunk and Melissa Frawley, June Bosworth and David Sheff.
Incumbent Susan Wagner, who has served for 12 years, is not running.
East Aurora
Candidates: (Elect 2): S. Dennis Holbrook (i) and MaryBeth Covert (i).
Total budget: $28.11 million, up 5.1 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $33.16 for Aurora, down by 0.6 percent; $32.44 for Colden, down by 0.59 percent; and $298.50 for Elma, down by 0.57 percent.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $15.96
million, no change. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,492 in Aurora, the
districts largest town. Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 56.8 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 32 percent.
Polls open: 7 a. m. to 9 p. m., Main Street School cafeteria, 430 Main St.
Voters in East Aurora will be asked to approve a $28.11 million budget that raises spending by 5 percent, though tax rates will dip slightly. The district was able to hold taxes down by collecting on $652,136 in state EXCEL building aid funds it is owed while in the midst of its capital improvement project.
School officials say the budget keeps programming intact, yet the spending plan does curb some spending by including staff cuts and spending reductions in other areas. Residents also will elect two School Board members to the seven-member board. Incumbents S. Dennis Holbrook and MaryBeth Covert are unopposed.
Eden
Candidates: (Elect 2) Pamela J. Klein-Gibbins, Michael M. Byrnes, Patrick M. Howard (i), Andrew J. Breier (i), Mark Harris.
Total budget: $25.6 million, up 3.1 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $23.78, up about 1
percent. Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $11.8
million, up 6.3 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,665.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 42 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 46 percent.
Proposition 2: Purchase three 74- passenger buses, at a maximum estimated cost of $308,517 and one plow truck at a maximum cost of $35,475.
Proposition 3: Select a student to be an ex-officio member of the Board of Education. The student would not be entitled to have a vote, attend executive sessions or receive compensation.
Polls open: 9 a. m. to 9 p. m. in the High School, 3150 Schoolview Road.
Eden voters will decide the fate of a $25.6 million budget proposal, which is an increase of 3.1 percent over the current spending plan. The tax rate under the proposal is estimated at $23.78 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, up about 1 percent over last years budget. Five candidates are running for two seats on the School Board. They are: incumbent Patrick M. Howard, 57, the retired Eden Police Chief; incumbent Andrew J. Breier, 43, the East Eden Fire Chief; Mark Harris, 44, a sales manager; Pamela J. Klein-Gibbins, 46; and Michael M. Byrnes.
Frontier
Candidates: (Elect 2): Jack D. Chiappone and Janet MacGregor Plarr (i).
Total budget: $73.04 million, up 3.75 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $23.29 for Hamburg
and $20.80 for Eden, up 2 percent. Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $31.49
million, up by about 2.8 percent. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,456.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 43 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 43 percent.
Proposition 2: Spend $1.04 million to buy 11 school buses totaling $1.03 million, and a $15,000 lawn-mower.
Polls open: 7 a. m. To 9 p. m. in Blasdell Elementary School, 3780 South Park Ave.; Cloverbank Elementary School, 2761 Cloverbank Road; Pinehurst Elementary School, 6050 Fairway Court, Lake View; Frontier High School, 4432 Bay View Road; and Woodlawn Fire Hall, 3281 Lake Shore Road.
District residents will consider a $73.04 million budget, which would raise spending by 3.75 percent and boost the tax rate by nearly 2 percent.
Administrators say the budget supports existing programs and continues funding for before-and after-school programs, maintains academic initiatives and keeps its extracurricular and music activities intact.
Voters also will elect two to the nine-member School Board. Running are a 15-year board member seeking reelection; and a newcomer, who is seeking the post now held by board President Gerald Baldelli. Baldelli is not seeking re-election. Both seats carry five-year terms. The unopposed candidates are Jack
D. Chiappone, who previously served on the Lake Shore School Board, and Janet MacGregor Plarr, a board member for 15 years.
Gowanda
Candidates: (Elect 2): Carol Paskuly (i), Susan J. Flaherty.
Total budget: $25.7 million, no change.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: Dayton, $21.22, down 1.7 percent; Perrysburg, $22.87, down 1.7 percent; Persia, $22.01, down 1.7 percent; Hanover, $17.61, down 1.7 percent; Collins, $18.69, down 2.4 percent; North Collins, $13.08, down 2.3 percent.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $4.6 million,
down 2 percent. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,557.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 17.77 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 64.38 percent.
Proposition 2: Spend no more than $325,000, from the transportation reserve fund, on vehicles for student transportation: two new school buses, a wheelchair van, a five-passenger car, a four-wheel drive SUV.
Proposition 3: Create a new vehicle purchase reserve fund, with money from unappropriated fund balances, state aid reimbursement and proceeds from used vehicle sales.
Proposition 4: Give a narrow pathwayabout 25 feet wide along Cattaraugus Creek to the Village of Gowanda for a walking path.
Polls open: 6 a. m. to 9 p. m., Gowanda
Middle School Library, Panther Drive, Gowanda.
Web link: www.gowcsd.org
When voters go to the polls, they will consider a $25,695,150 budget that is a zero percent increase from the current budget. Voters also will elect two to the sevenmember School Board. There are two candidates running for each of the three-year seats now open on the board. They are:
Carol Paskuly, an incumbent, and a retired Erie Community College English teacher, serving since 2002.
Susan J. Flaherty, a North Collins special-education teacher.
Grand Island
Candidates: (Elect 3): Glenn Bobeck (i), George Casey (i), David Goris (i), Teresa Price, Sandra Stypick.
Total budget: $52 million, up 2.76 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $39.08, no change.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $27.5 million, up 2 percent
Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,895.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 52.9 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 31 percent.
Proposition 2: Spend up to $705,000 to acquire various school buses and vehicles.
Polls open: 10 a. m. to 9 p. m. Grand Island High School auditorium, 1100 Ransom Road.
Grand Island voters will have their say on a proposal that keeps the tax rate the same while raising spending by less than 3 percent. Voters also will consider a race for three School Board seats that includes all the incumbents and two challengers.
The candidates are:
Incumbent Glenn Bobeck, a partner at the law firm Phillips Lytle LLP.
Incumbent George Casey, a self-employed accountant.
Incumbent David Goris, director of customer service and forecasting for Lactalis American Group.
Teresa Price, a stay-at-home mother.
Sandra Stypick, an accountant with Praxair.
Hamburg
Candidates: (Elect 2) Patricia Brunner-Collins (i), Joan G. Calkins, Erin Ross-Moses.
Total budget: $55 million, up 4.6 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $17.43, up 2.4 percent.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $27 million, up 2.8 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,743.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 49 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 40 percent.
Proposition 2: Extend the mileage limit for which school transportation is provided by 2 miles at an anticipated cost of $52.616.
Polls open: 7 a. m. to 9 p. m., Hamburg High School, 4111 Legion Drive.
Web link: www.hamburgschools.org .
Residents in the Hamburg School District will vote on a $55 million school budget that would increase spending by $2.4 million over the current budget. Voters also will elect two new members to the seven-seat board. All seats are for three-year terms. Patricia Brunner-Collins, an incumbent, is seeking re-election. School Board President Margaret Moses has chosen not to run again. Her great-niece, Erin Ross Moses, and Joan G. Calkins, whose father was a former board member and School Board president, both are seeking a seat.
Holland
Candidates: (Elect 1): Jill Anderson, Joel Inbody, Steve Marom.
Total budget: $19 million, down 0.57 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $15.71, down 99 cents, or 6 percent.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $7 million, down 2.2 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,571.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 36.9 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 52.4 percent.
Proposition 2: Purchase two buses, one 28 passenger van and a nine-passenger SUV for a total cost of $248,220.
Polls open: 6 a. m. to 9 p. m. in Holland High School auditorium lobby, 103 Canada St.
Web link: www.hollandwnyric.org
Holland voters will be deciding on a $19 million budget that would decrease spending by $109,274 under the current budget. Voters will elect one new trustee to a five-year term, replacing Brian Andrzejewski, who has chosen not to run for re-election. The candidates are: Jill Anderson, an attorney; high school senior Joel Inbody; and Steve Marom, a former employee benefits attorney.
Iroquois
Candidates: (Elect 1): Charles F. Specht, Daniel Behlmaier, Thomas Answeeney.
Total budget: $40.97 million, up 4 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $33.94 for Aurora, up 3.71 percent; $305.19 for Elma, up 3.59 percent; $16.41 for Lancaster, up 3.67 percent; $32.14 for Marilla, up 4.74 percent; $34.72 for Wales, up 6.1 percent; $33.22 for Bennington, up 4.14 percent.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $22.6
million, up 4.97 percent. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,511.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 55.2 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 33 percent.
Proposition 2: Purchase four 62- passenger buses, two 16-passenger buses, and two five-passenger cars at a maximum total cost of $480,000.
Proposition 3: Transfer $60,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund to purchase computer hardware, software and computer connectivity equipment. Also, transfer an amount not to exceed $450,000 from the unappropriated fund balance to the Repair Reserve Fund for the purpose of repairs to capital improvements and/or equipment.
Polls open: 7 a. m. to 9 p. m., Iroquois Intermediate School Gym, Girdle Road.
Web link: www.iroquoiscsd.org .
At the polls, residents will consider a $41 million budget that would increase spending by $1.6 million over the current budget. Voters will also choose one new board member to fill the five-year term Board President Elaine Pauly is vacating.
The candidates are Charles F. Specht, Daniel Behlmaier, and Thomas Answeeney, a graduating senior from the Iroquois class of 2009.
Kenmore-Tonawanda
Candidates: (Elect 1): Louis Reuter (i) and Donette C. Darrow.
Total budget: $146.7 million, up 3.03 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $38.13, up 0.27 percent.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $71.9
million, unchanged. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,849.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 49 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 34.6 percent.
Proposition 2: Purchase up to seven 65-passenger school buses and three wheelchair buses at an amount not to exceed $860,950.
Polls open: 7 a. m. to 9 p. m. at Herbert Hoover Middle School, 249 Thorncliff Road; Philip Sheridan Building, 3200 Elmwood Ave.; and Kenmore East High School, 350 Fries Road.
When voters go to the polls, they will consider a $146.7 million budget that would increase spending by approximately $4.31 million over the current budget. While measures were taken to stabilize the tax levy, a projected decline in the total assessed value means a slight tax increase.
Voters also will elect one to the five-member School Board. There are two candidates running for a three-year term on the board. They are:
Louis M. Reuter, an incumbent, seeking election to a second term.
Donette C. Darrow, who served on the board from 2000 to 2003 and was an unsuccessful candidate in later elections 2008 and 2006.
Lackawanna
Candidates: (Elect 3): Michael G. Sanders (i), Steve P. Hety (i), James
S. Sieracki, Keith G. Woods, Ernesto
C. Leonetti and John W. Makeyenko.
Total budget: $42.2 million, up 6.72 percent.
Homestead property tax rate
per $1,000 assessed value:
$10.32, up 1.1 percent.
Nonhomestead property tax
rate per $1,000 assessed value:
$28.75, down 3.17 percent. Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $7.8 million,
up 2.56 percent. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,478.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 18.5 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 66 percent.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p. m. at various polling places. Consult the districts Web site or call 827-6706.
Web link: www.lackawannaschools.org
Lackawanna School District voters will consider a $42.2 million budget that would increase spending by $$2.6 million over the current budget.
Voters also will elect three candidates to the seven-member School Board. The candidates are:
Michael G. Sanders, an incumbent and current vice president of the board.
Steve P. Hetey, also an incumbent.
James S. Sieracki.
Keith G. Woods.
Ernesto C. Leonetti.
John W. Makeyenko, a former School Board member.
Lake Shore
Candidates: (Elect 3): Dyan Badaszewski- Scritchfield, Richard Vogan (i), Jennifer Wackowski (i).
Total budget: $51.75 million, down 0.5 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $15.43 for Brant; $22.04 for Eden; and $15.43 for Evans. All tax rates reflect no increase from the current year.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $14.9
million, no increase. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,543.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 29 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 58 percent.
Proposition 2: Purchase four 77- passenger buses; one 30-passenger handicap-accessible bus; and two 30-passenger buses, for a total of $638,290.
Polls open: 9 a. m. to 9 p. m. in the main lobby of Lake Shore High School, 959 Beach Road.
Web link: www.lakeshore.wnyric.org
The proposed Lake Shore budget not only holds tax rates flat, but it trims the budget by 0.5 percent.
Officials found a number of places to cut, including more than seven instructional positions, which will save the district more than $430,000 next year. The district also cut an in-school suspension monitor at the high school.
Voters also will elect three people to three-year terms on the School Board in an uncontested race. The candidates are:
Dyan Badaszewski-Scritchfield, 39, a teacher at West Seneca East Senior High School.
Incumbent Richard Vogan, 56, a computer consultant.
Incumbent Jennifer Wackowski, 38, the office manager for a local medical practice.
Lancaster
Candidates: (Elect 2): David Zalenski and Wendy Buchert.
Total budget: $84.7 million, up 3.9 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $15.94 for Lancaster, no change, $23.90 for Cheektowaga, no change, $304.24 for Elma, no change.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $39.49 million, up 1.2 percent. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,482.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 46 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 38 percent.
Proposition 2: To spend $1.18 million from the school bus reserve fund to buy 11 school buses.
Polls open: 7 a. m. to 9 p. m. in Lancaster High School Java Gym, One Forton Drive.
Web link: www.lancasterschools.org
Spending under next years budget would increase 3.9 percent to cover contractual obligations. But the proposed budget also would maintain current programs while keeping taxes stable. Its the second time in three years that there would be no tax increase. Incumbents Mary Kless and Vice President David Ehrle are not seeking re-election, and two newcomers are running unopposed. They are:
David Zalenski, 49, vice president at United Graphics.
Wendy Buchert, 41, vice president of Como Park Elementary Parent- Teacher Organization.
Maryvale
Candidates: (Elect 1): Steven Cahoon (i).
Total budget: $36.1 million, up 3.7 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $25.93, down 8 cents
less than 1 percent. Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $15.2
million, down 0.32 percent. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,608
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 42.2 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 48.1 percent.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p. m. in the gymnasium of Maryvale High School 9-10 Building, 1050 Maryvale Drive.
Web link: www.maryvale.wnyric.org .
Maryvale Union Free School District voters will consider a budget that grows spending by 3.7 percent and preserves programs but holds the line on property taxes. Both the tax rate and tax levythe total amount of money to be raised in taxeswould actually decline slightly, largely because the district received a $1.6 million boost in state aid over last year.
Incumbent School Board candidate Steven Cahoon is unopposed for a full five-year term after completing a partial term that began in 2006.
North Collins
Candidates: (Elect 1): Mark R. Snow (i) and Andrew J. Martin.
Total budget: $14.8 million, up 4.7 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: An average of $19.43,
down less than 1 percent. Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $4.4 million,
no change. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,943.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 29.8 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 55 percent.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p. m. in the High School gymnasium, 2045 School St., North Collins.
Web link: www.northcollins.com
When voters go to the polls, they will consider a $14.8 million budget that would increase spending by $662,700 over the current budget. Of that amount, $494,000 is debt service for capital projects that includes a new athletic complex, science lab and parking. After this payment is made, the school district will be reimbursed by the state building aid fund. Voters also will elect one member to the seven-member School Board. There are two candidates running for the five-year seat on the board. They are:
Mark R. Snow, 45, an incumbent, is seeking election to a second term.
Andrew J. Martin, 45, who is running for the first time.
Orchard Park
Candidates: (Elect 2): Kimberly Hughes, Alfred McClymonds, (i), Carla Marrazzo (i) and Donna M. Omar.
Total budget: $77.49 million, up 4.96 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $27.36 for Orchard Park, $36.48 for Aurora, $16.42 for Boston, $328.32 for Elma, $26.27 for Hamburg and $33.85 for West Seneca, all up 4.9 percent.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $45.85
million, up 5.82 percent. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,642.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 59 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 32 percent.
Proposition 2: To spend up to $738,000 to buy six buses and two wheelchair vans.
Polls open: 7 a. m. to 9 p. m. Orchard Park High School, 4040 Baker Road.
Web link: www.opschools.org
While the budget is up over last year, administrators and the School Board cut costs by $2.4 million. Five teachers, one administrator and 12.5 other staff member positions were cut, saving about 1 percent of the total budget. The School Board cut $100,000 from the athletic budget, and some clubs were cut at the elementary level, but funding for co-curricular activities at the middle and high schools was spared. Voters also will choose two board positions for three-year terms:
Kimberly Hughes, 36, a high school social studies teacher for Frontier Central High School.
Carla Marrazzo, 42, a one-term incumbent who is an educational specialist with Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services.
Alfred McClymonds, 67, a retired Marine sergeant major and a retired school administrator seeking his second term.
Donna M. Omar, 42, a former teacher who owns Anytime Fitness.
Springville
Candidates: (Elect 2) Jon S. Einarsson and Joan M. Kelly.
Total budget: $34.7 million, down 2.15 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $34.80 for Concord, no change; $37.80 for Colden, no change.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $14 million,
down 1.08 percent. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,740.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 42 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 49 percent.
Proposition 2: To spend not more than $500,000 to buy eight buses and vans.
Proposition 3: To reduce the terms of board of education members from five to three years.
Polls open: 10 a. m. to 9 p. m. at the High School, 290 North Buffalo St., Springville;Collins Center Fire Hall, Route 39, Collins Center; and Colden Elementary School, 8263 Boston- Colden Road, Boston.
Web link: www.springvillegi.org
Springville-Griffith Institute plans to spend $761,000 less next year than this year, while enhancing enrichment, transition and literacy programs.
Transportation spending will go down 20 percent, in part because the district plans to use smaller vans and buses where possible to save on gas. The district also looked at actual expenditures, and found the department had been overbudgeted in recent years, and next years department budget will reflect the lower spending. Voters also will decide whether to buy buses and vans, and whether to reduce the School Board term from five to three years. There are two residents running for two seats on the School Board. They are:
Jon S. Einarsson, 39, a computer engineer.
Joan M. Kelly, 52, hobby farmer and former Division I womens college basketball coach.
Sweet Home
Candidates: (Elect 1): Dirk Rabenold (i).
Total budget: $63.8 million, up 2 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $12.71 for Amherst,
$26.01 for the Town of Tonawanda. Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $30.8
million, up less than 1 percent. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,271 in Amherst, $1,339 in the Town of Tonawanda, a decrease of 9 percent.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 48.3 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 39.4 percent
Proposition 2: Authorize spending of $442,000 for the purchase of five school buses.
Polls open: Noon to 9 p. m. in the Norman C. Vergils Community Center at Sweet Home High School, 1901 Sweet Home Road, Amherst.
Web link: www.sweethomeschools.com .
Sweet Home voters will consider a ballot short on controversy and long on good news. The district is in a position shared by many others when fear of huge tax increases and staffing cuts were allayed thanks to federal stimulus money. The result in Sweet Home is a tax rate decrease and a spending increase of just under 2 percent. Voters also will consider purchasing five new school buses, a proposition that will have no impact on local tax rates. The race for a School Board seat really isnt a race at all; longtime incumbent Dirk Rabenold is unopposed.
Tonawanda
Candidates: (Elect 4): Augustine Beyer, Jennifer Mysliwy, Sharon Stuart, James Weber (i).
Total budget: $31 million, up 0.74 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $17.21, down 1.87
percent. Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $10.7
million, down2.18 percent. Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,721.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 34 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 58 percent.
Proposition 2: Establish 10-year capital reserve fund of no more than$1.5 million.
Polls open: 7 a. m. to 9 p. m. in all wards: First Ward, Mullen Elementary School, 130 Syracuse St.; Second Ward, Highland Elementary School, 105 Highland Ave.; Third Ward, City Hall, 200 Niagara St.; Fourth Ward, Riverview School, 55 Taylor Drive.
Web link: www.tonawandacsd.org .
City of Tonawanda residents will consider a $31 million budget that increases spending 0.74 percent but drops the tax rate by 1.87 percent. Four seats will be open on the seven-member School Board. The top two vote-getters will earn three-year terms on the board, while the next two candidates receive one-year seats expiring June 30, 2010, to complete the terms of James Weber, who was appointed last year to replace Charles Heylmun, and Mark Flint, who moved out of the district earlier this year. The four candidates are:
Augustine Beyer, a sales manager for Carolina Furniture.
Jennifer Mysliwy, a scrapbooking/ activities instructor and graduate of the district.
Sharon Stuart, who served on the districts budget advisory team and reconfiguration committee this year.
James Weber, a former Board of Education president and current owner of Wizard Communications.
West Seneca
Candidates: (Elect two): Mary J. Busse (i), Gwendolyn A. Phillips, Cynthia A. Solly.
Total budget: $104.3 million, up 2.12 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $27.09 for Cheektowaga; $26.87 for Hamburg; $27.99 for Orchard Park; $34.63 for West Seneca. Tax rates for all the towns reflect no increase from the current year.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $46.8 million, no increase.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,680.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 45 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 44 percent.
Proposition 2: Purchase of two 65- passenger buses; 10 20-passenger buses; and one wheelchair-accessible lift bus, for a total of $660,830, to be drawn from the bus purchase reserve fund.
Proposition 3: $18.5 million capital project to provide energy upgrades throughout the district; fix structural problems in the floor at West Elementary; upgrade the libraries and gyms at the high schools; and install more security cameras and upgrade technology throughout the district.
Polls open: 7 a. m. to 9 p. m. in the gym at West Seneca East Senior High School, 4760 Seneca St.
Web link: www.wscschools.org
The proposed budget in West Seneca holds the line on taxes but increases spending 2.12 percent.
To offset the increase in spending, the district will draw on a slight increase thats anticipated in sales tax revenue, as well as a heavier reliance on its fund balance, district Treasurer Brian Schulz said. In addition, the district expects to get about $3.6 million in federal stimulus funds to use toward the 2009-10 budget of $104.3 million.
The proposed spending plan maintains current programs.
We decreased class size at the elementary level at the beginning of this current year, and were able to maintain it, Superintendent Jean Kovach said. We decided that was the next thing to do to increase student achievement.
The district also is asking voters to approve an $18.5 million capital project that would include expanding the gyms and updating the libraries at the high schools, creating about 100 smart classrooms districtwide and upgrading energy controls.
Most of the project cost would be covered by routine building aid from the state, supplemented by one-time EXCEL aid.
Voters also will elect two people to the seven-member School Board. Mark P. Lazzara, executive director of Western New York AmeriCorps, is not seeking re-election.
The candidates for three-year seats on the board are:
Mary J. Busse, 52, a job coach at West Seneca Developmental Center, seeking re-election.
Gwendolyn A. Phillips, 40, a recruiter for a local business.
Cynthia A. Solly, 51, a customer service representative for an insurance agency.
Williamsville
Candidates: (Elect 3): William Freeman (i), Michael Littman (i), Zongqing Zhou, Alison Schoonover and Eugene Cavelli.
Total budget: $154.7 million, up 2.3 percent.
Property tax rate per $1,000 assessed
value: $16.83 for Amherst, down 14.7 percent.
Total amount to be raised
through property taxes: $100,287,216, up 0.97 percent.
Taxes on $100,000 home (market
value): $1,683 for Amherst and Clarence.
Percentage of budget from property
taxes: 65.7 percent.
Percent of budget from state aid: 21.9 percent.
Polls open: 7 a. m. to 9 p. m. in the gymnasium of North High School, 1595 Hopkins Road.
Web link: www.williamsvillek12.org .
The $154.7 Williamsville school budget that voters are being asked to support includes a modest tax levy increase of about 1 percent. The school tax rate would actually fall dramatically because of a major increase in townwide property assessments.
Superintendent Howard Smith has promoted the 2009-10 budget as a maintenance budget that protects existing school programs but does not add any new ones.
Aside from the budget, voters also will elect three of five candidates to the nine-member board. Terms are for three years. Seats will be awarded to the top three vote-getters.
Eugene P. Covelli, 66, a newcomer, is a retired Erie Community College professor and resident of the district for about 40 years.
William Freeman, 58, incumbent board president and marketing director for First Niagara Financial Group, is seeking election to a fourth full term.
Michael J. Littman, 55, incumbent board vice president and Buffalo State College associate professor, is seeking election to a second term.
Alison Schoonover, 28, is a childrens services caseworker and graduate of Williamsville North High School who has lived in the district for 19 years.
Zongqing Joe Zhou, 52, is a Niagara University professor with a son attending North High. He has lived in the district for seven years.