FULTON/HANNIBAL, NY – Residents in the Fulton and Hannibal school districts are being asked to go to the polls today to cast votes on the annual school budget and board of education elections.In Fulton, the bottom line of the proposed 2008-09 spending plan comes in at $57,238,244; representing a budget-to-budget increase of 6.04 percent over the current year’s spending. The estimated tax levy increase comes in at 2.29 percent.
In addition to the budget vote, two propositions will be included on this year‘s ballot.
The first — regarded as Proposition 2 — will ask voters for permission to purchase a 17-passenger handicap-accessible bus for student transportation that will replace an aging bus in the district’s fleet. The district will receive a 90 percent reimbursement from the state for the purchase, meaning that the bus will cost the district $6,700 over the five-year repayment period.
The second proposition — Proposition 3 — will ask voters if they support a $50,000 increase for the Fulton Public Library’s operating budget, bringing the total contribution for the library to $90,000. While the item is included on the district ballot, the district acts only as a vehicle to collect and distribute the money to the library through the annual school tax bills. The money is not included in the school district’s budget.
Five candidates are vying for three available seats in this year’s board of education race. Each seat carries a new three-year term. The candidates include:
- Pete Tambroni
- Rae Howard
- Dan Pawlewicz
- Robert Ireland
- David Carvey
Superintendent Bill Lynch noted that each potential board member has had involvement with the district.
The budget vote will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Election sites will be open at the four district elementary schools.
- Residents who live on the west side of the river and outside the city limits will vote at Granby Elementary School
- Residents who live on the west side of the river and inside the city limits will vote at Lanigan Elementary School
- Residents who live on the east side of the river and inside the city limits will vote at Fairgrieve Elementary School
- Residents who live on the east side of the river and outside the city limits will vote at Volney Elementary School
Fulton’s budget information is posted on the district’s Web site.
In Hannibal, the 2008-09 budget request comes in at $25,122,068. That represents a $1,243,018 increase over current year’s spending of $23,879,050, and a 5.21 percent budget-to-budget increase.
In addition to the budget vote, residents will be asked to support a proposition — regarded on the ballot as Proposition 2 — that would authorize the district to purchase up to three new school buses at a cost not to exceed $293,321.
The Hannibal Board of Education has four candidates who are working to secure one of three seats that are available for various term lengths. The candidates include:
- George Ritchie
- Mireille Watts
- Randall Siver
- Donna Ingersoll
Superintendent Michael DiFabio explained that the various term lengths will be awarded to the candidates bringing in the highest votes.
The highest vote getter will secure a five-year term that will begin June 1. The term was vacated by a board member who would have been required to run for a new five-year term this year. Rather than making an appointment, the district opted to fill the seat through the election. That appointment will span five years and one month.
The candidate who secures the second highest vote count will fill a five year term beginning July 1. The candidate who secures the third highest number of votes will take a three-year term that begins June 1.
Hannibal’s polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., in the board of education room at the Hannibal High School.
Hannibal’s budget information is also available on the district’s Web site.
missing or outdated ad config
