FULTON, NY – Fulton City School District officials have received little public input on the proposed 2017-18 budget since it was adopted by the board of education on April 11.
The $70,782,921 budget shows a spending increase of $446,421 over the current year’s budget, a 0.63-percent change.
District taxpayers will see a lowered tax rate however, after following a state mandated tax cap formula resulted in a -1.34-percent tax levy.
Since its adoption, Superintendent Brian Pulvino has presented the proposed budget to public groups and organizations, has solicited public input on the district website, and together with other district officials, held a public budget hearing on Wednesday (May 3.)
Through these many efforts, Pulvino said there has been minimal feedback from the public.
“We just want to make sure the public is informed,” Pulvino said. “There are a lot of opportunities for feedback, we just haven’t received a lot. It could be in part because the tax cap is down, which is good for the public.”
With the public hearing complete and the budget newsletter delivered, the final step in the budget process is narrowed down to the public vote for registered voters of the district scheduled for Tuesday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
For the first time, only one polling location will serve the entire Fulton community. Eligible voters can cast their vote at the Fulton War Memorial located at 609 W. Broadway.
Voters will see multiple propositions on the ballot in addition to the 2017-2018 proposed budget.
Three open seats on the FCSD Board of Education will be voted upon. However, only the names of the two nominating petitions received will appear on the ballot in order of how they were drawn.
First on the ballot will appear current board president seeking reelection, David Cordone and second on the ballot will appear potential newcomer to the board, Brenda Abelgore.
Voters are able to select from the two available names on the ballot or write in a name for each vacancy, the three names with the most votes will be awarded the vacant seats.
However, if the seat were denied or no write-in candidates were presented, the board of education would go through a process by law to make a one year appointment for the vacancy.
Also on the ballot will appear a proposition in regards to student transportation vehicles allowing a bond resolution approved by the board to purchase and finance of one mini bus and one passenger van, including related furnishing and incidental at a total estimated cost not to exceed $105,000.
Final propositions on the ballot will be in regard to the Fulton Public Library.
Voters will see a budget proposition authorizing the library board of trustees to spend $393,972 to operate the library.
Voters will also be able to vote for two open seats on the library board of trustees of which three candidates will appear including Nancy Whitens, Robert Vaynor, and Jacqueline Havener.
The two candidates receiving the most votes will serve a full five-year term beginning July 1, 2017.
Voters will be asked to take an exit poll conducted by G. Ray Bodley students in Participation in Government class.
For detailed information on the 2017-2018 budget vote, visit the district website.
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According to the map, we’re voting at Chester’s! Yee Haw! Write me in! Hardi-har-har!
Who purchased the signs for one candidate and the write-ins? Looks like another attempt by the teachers union to control our school board and taxes. Most of them don’t even live in our community, but they are our biggest expense. The public should be suspicious of the names on the signs.