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Brighton Central School District residents approved a $62.3 million budget by a margin of 665 votes Tuesday night, 1,105 to 440.
While the budget vote wasn’t close, the race for two seats on the school board was.
Incumbent Morton Stein received 986 votes to secure his second three-year term. Andrea Costanza, with 852 votes, edged Linda Eckel Mendelson, who received 847 votes.
“I think it shows that every vote counts, since it was so close,” Mendelson said. “But the people that won are good people and well qualified. I’m thinking about maybe trying again next year.”
Costanza, the current Brighton PTSA president, is eager to get started. She wants to make sure Brighton stays current and adds programs when appropriate.
Stein, a former teacher in Brighton, is looking forward to continuing to work with the other board members.
“I’m glad that the community was willing to support me and to have me represent them again on the school board,” he said.
Under the approved budget, the $43,712,170 tax levy — or amount to be raised by taxes — is up $603,825 from the current year. The tax rate will be $24.26 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The district is eliminating 5.7 full-time-equivalent positions due to enrollment, eliminating 4.5 other positions and consolidating 17.1 positions. No programs will be reduced, but $150,000 would be budgeted for new initiatives such as a Mandarin language course, energy course and a district family support center. Cuts include materials and supplies, and having fewer chaperones for interscholastic sports.
A proposition to authorize the withdrawal of $1,428,000 for capital projects — including a roof replacement at Brookside, lighting upgrade and parking lot lighting replacement at Council Rock Primary School, and a district-wide building condition survey — passed, 1,192 to 336.
Residents also voted 1,180 to 343 to approve a proposition to authorize the transfer of $400,000 from the capital reserve fund to the district’s general operating fund and expend the sum for computer-related equipment and software.
Brighton Central School District residents approved a $62.3 million budget by a margin of 665 votes Tuesday night, 1,105 to 440.
While the budget vote wasn’t close, the race for two seats on the school board was.
Incumbent Morton Stein received 986 votes to secure his second three-year term. Andrea Costanza, with 852 votes, edged Linda Eckel Mendelson, who received 847 votes.
“I think it shows that every vote counts, since it was so close,” Mendelson said. “But the people that won are good people and well qualified. I’m thinking about maybe trying again next year.”
Costanza, the current Brighton PTSA president, is eager to get started. She wants to make sure Brighton stays current and adds programs when appropriate.
Stein, a former teacher in Brighton, is looking forward to continuing to work with the other board members.
“I’m glad that the community was willing to support me and to have me represent them again on the school board,” he said.
Under the approved budget, the $43,712,170 tax levy — or amount to be raised by taxes — is up $603,825 from the current year. The tax rate will be $24.26 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The district is eliminating 5.7 full-time-equivalent positions due to enrollment, eliminating 4.5 other positions and consolidating 17.1 positions. No programs will be reduced, but $150,000 would be budgeted for new initiatives such as a Mandarin language course, energy course and a district family support center. Cuts include materials and supplies, and having fewer chaperones for interscholastic sports.
A proposition to authorize the withdrawal of $1,428,000 for capital projects — including a roof replacement at Brookside, lighting upgrade and parking lot lighting replacement at Council Rock Primary School, and a district-wide building condition survey — passed, 1,192 to 336.
Residents also voted 1,180 to 343 to approve a proposition to authorize the transfer of $400,000 from the capital reserve fund to the district’s general operating fund and expend the sum for computer-related equipment and software.
