On May 18, Herkimer Central School District voters approved the district’s $26,414,000 budget for 2021-22 with 275 yes votes to 64 no votes, and elected three Board of Education members.
Voters elected three candidates for three open Board of Education seats. The two candidates who received the most votes were elected to three-year-terms. The person who received the third most will serve the term remaining on a vacated seat. That term begins on May 19, 2021, that runs through June, 30, 2022. The voting results are as follow:
- Michael J. Carney, 242 votes (elected)
- Michele Gilbert, 230 votes (elected)
- Brian Crandall, 206 votes (elected)
- Samuel Luce, 144 votes
“We’re very appreciative of everyone in our community who came out and voted today,” said Superintendent Robert J. Miller.
“We feel this budget addresses our current needs, restores and adds programs, and includes some impactful new opportunities for our students.”
The passed budget represents an increase in spending by 4.9 percent from the current operating plan. It also includes a 0 percent tax levy increase.
Because the 0 percent increase was above the allotted tax levy cap of – 4.67% as defined by the state’s tax cap legislation, a supermajority of voters (60 percent) was required for budget approval.
Voters also approved the proposed 2021-22 budget for the Frank J. Basloe Library, 259-82, and elected one candidate to the Board of Trustees. Phillip Kane received 274 votes and will serve a five-year term.