School budget votes were held around the state on Tuesday and one of the most closely watched elections was in Brighton, where that district was the only local one asking to exceed New York’s property tax cap.
A large turnout of voters was reported, and the budget did see 55% of the voters in favor, and 45% against. But because Brighton wanted to exceed the tax cap, it would have needed at least 60% of the voters to approve it.
And even though 2 propositions on the ballot got at least 75% of the votes in favor, District Superintendent Kevin McGowan says that by law, propositions cannot be approved if the budget proposal is not okayed.
McGowan wrote a statement on the district’s websitesaying that officials “appreciate the significant participation of the community and will now review the information provided to us by community members throughout the process” and through an exit poll.
He says the school board and district officials will now review options for future proposals, a potential budget revote or the adoption of an austerity budget.
One other school district budget that was defeated locally on Tuesday was in the Brockport Central School District. Otherwise, it appeared most other budgets were approved.
