GENESEE COUNTY
School budgets, board seats on ballots
BATAVIA — Taxpayers in Genesee County’s eight school districts will get a breather in Tuesday’s elections with spending and tax rates about the same as this year and only one school board contest. Many schools got an assist from federal economic stimulus dollars.
Elba Central’s spending is down with a possible reduction in the property tax levy. Residents in Oakfield-Alabama and possibly Byron-Bergen will face increases.
Voting will be held from noon to 9 p. m.
In Batavia, a $39.9 million budget will bring a tax rate increase of about one-third of 1 percent. Incumbents Andrew Pedro, Gail M. Stevens and Gary F. Stich are running unopposed for three-year terms on the Board of Education.
Alexander voters will consider a $16.8 million budget with the same tax levy of $5.4 million. Terrence Krajawski and Jeanne Walton are vying for a three-year school board term.
In Byron-Bergen, the $19.4 million budget is about one-half of 1 percent higher and could trigger a 2 percent property tax increase. Incumbent Debra List and Lori Nelson are the only candidates for three-year school board terms.
The $10 million budget before Elba voters is $300,000 less than the current budget and could allow a 9.5 percent reduction in property taxes. Voters also will decide whether to establish a $300,000 reserve fund to purchase buses. Incumbent school board members Marc Torrey and Brian Monckton are seeking the two five-year terms.
Le Roy voters will consider a $21 million budget that is $350,000 less than this year’s. The tax rate should remain unchanged. Three incumbents — Lawrence Bonacquisti, Donald Hubert and Lloyd Miller — are unopposed for three-year school board terms.
In Oakfield-Alabama, the $16.7 million budget is down by $190,000, but the tax rate could rise by 1.9 percent. A proposition to spend $190,000 for two school buses also is on the ballot. Incumbents Marc Johnson and Karin Call are unopposed for re-election to three-year school board terms.
The $16.2 million budget before Pavilion voters incorporates federal stimulus funds offsetting a drop in state aid, which should keep the tax rate unchanged. Incumbent Sarah Noble-Moag and Ashley Mc- Master are running unopposed for two five-year school board seats.
In Pembroke, the $19.3 million budget cuts spending by 2 percent, while the property tax rate could drop about 60 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Michael Wolf is unopposed for re-election to the school board for a five-year term.
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