Coxsackie-Athens voters approve $38.7 million budget

UPDATED RESULTS:

$38.7 million budget- PASSED, 503-273

Board of Education (three seats):

Jamie Dorr - 568

Samuel Mozzillo - 568

Cesar Echavarria - 518

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COXSACKIE―Residents of the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District will head to the polls later this month to vote on a proposed $38.7 million budget.

The spending plan represents a $1 million increase, or 2.65%, over the current year’s budget and includes an estimated tax levy increase of 2.8% which is within the district’s allowable increase under the state tax cap.

The proposed budget utilizes $2,044,088 in fund balance, compared to $1,775,000 that was applied last year.

The district is also planning to move forward with the potential elimination of 11 teaching positions, as well as reductions to supplies, staff travel, mental health services and travel to athletic contests.

“This is not a decision we take lightly,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Patrick Darfler-Sweeney.

According to the district, New York State Aid has “effectively been capped for the last three years, failing to match rising operational costs,” while property taxes have generally been limited to 2-3% growth under the state property tax cap.

“At the same time, the costs of employee benefits, transportation, utilities, and educational resources have continued to climb,” according to the district.

The district is also “continuing to experience a sharp decrease in student enrollment, thus increasing the costs pressures on operation and management. In response, the district has reviewed its class sizes, offerings and staffing levels.”

“We are incredibly proud of our educators and support staff. But with continued declines in student enrollment and rising operational costs outpacing state aid at an accelerated pace, we must make difficult choices to protect our future,” Darfler-Sweeney said.

In 2006, Coxsackie-Athens had a K-12 enrollment of 1,593 students, according to state data. This past January, it was down to 1,107―a trend the district says has led to smaller class sizes and reduced staffing needs.

“Our goal is to ‘right-size’ the district so we can continue offering high-quality instruction while remaining fiscally responsible,” Darfler-Sweeney said. “These are incredibly difficult decisions, but they are necessary to ensure we are using our limited resources in ways that best support student learning and long-term sustainability.”

Voters will also cast ballots to fill three seats on the board of education. Running for three-year terms are Jamie Dorr, Samuel Mozzillo and Cesar Echavarria. Dorr is an incumbent who serves as the board’s vice president, while Mozzillo and Echavarria are seeking seats held by Tara Bachner and Ina Griffin-Guilzon who are not pursuing reelection.

The annual budget vote and board of education election will take place from 1-9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 at both Coxsackie Elementary School and E.J. Arthur Elementary School.