New York State voters approved nearly 96 percent of its school districts budgets on Tuesday, May 21.
The New York State School Board Association (NYSSBA), which announced the results, is still waiting for nine additional school districts to release their data. Of the 660 school districts with released results, 630 of them have had their budgets pass.
“Residents in communities across this state stood strong once again in support of public education,” says NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer. “The high level of voter support for school budgets speaks to the importance of public education. We appreciate the trust that voters place in our school board members and educations.”
The average proposed spending increased to 2.9 percent for the 2013-2014 school year, which was driven by the increase in school district pension costs.
A second vote may be held on June 18 for school districts that did not pass their budgets. School boards are allowed to forgo the second vote and add a contingency budget, which under state law, will require a 0 percent growth in the district’s tax levy.
