Voters approve budget; re-elect incumbent board members

Fort Plain Central School District residents approved a $21,375,000 budget by a vote of 241-46. The vote was conducted by absentee ballot only because of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Votes were tallied on June 16.

“We appreciate the support from our community to achieve a successful budget,” Superintendent John Bishop said. “Our students will benefit from this budget that preserves existing programs and student supports and is aligned to our district goal of preparing students for success beyond graduation.”

The budget reflects a 2.03% spending increase and a 1.81% tax levy increase. The calculated “tax levy cap” for FPCS is 3.4%. The tax levy cap law only applies to the tax levy (the amount of taxes collected by the district), not to tax rates or individual tax bills.

Voters also re-elected three incumbent board candidates and approved a bus proposition.

Jeffrey Jones received 260 votes, David Przestrzelski received 253 votes and Todd McFee received 250 votes. Their three-year terms begin July 1.

The district also received write-ins for Craig Phillips (6), Val Waner (1), David Briggs (1), Alfonso Pinyero (1) and Stephen Heiser (1).

Voters approved the school bus referendum by a vote of 235-52. The approved referendum allows the district to purchase buses at a cost not to exceed $338,000 total. The referendum does not have an impact on the tax levy. It allows the district to replace aging buses and minimize maintenance costs.