FULTON -- For the overwhelming majority of school districts in our area, voters approved budget proposals that will finance education programs during the 2010-2011 school year. For three districts in our area, school board members and administrators have a daunting task ahead: what to do in the wake of budget defeats.

In Fulton, the board of education has scheduled a May 25th meeting to review their options. The board had proposed a $60.8 million budget that would raise the property tax levy by 2.5%. It also included the elimination of 18 positions. It was defeated by just eight votes.

"We believe we put together a responsible budget, so I have to be candid.  I was disappointed it wasn't successful," says Superintendent Bill Lynch. 

Now the board and administrators will have to figure out what to do next. Their options: districts can revise the budget and put it up for a vote one more time. That one would have to be put up for a vote on June 15th this year.  If that budget fails, districts must enact a contingency budget by July 1st. Districts can also skip the re-vote and enact a contingency budget immediately.  Contingency budgets can mean drastic cuts because they are subject to caps.

In Fulton, that could mean more cuts to supplies, equipment, or maybe even staff.  Also, if the contingency budget is adopted, groups who use school facilities would have to cover all related expenses themselves.

Other districts that saw budgets defeated were Canastota and Onondaga Central.

Onondaga Central Business Administrator Steve Smith says the original budget had a tax levy increase of 2.08% and included eliminating 4 positions through attrition.  Smith says, as the district revises its budget, it will likely look at cutting equipment and possibly staff. 

Canastota Superintendent Fred Bragan says the original budget in his district had a tax levy increase of 2.83%.  It also eliminated two teaching positions and made cuts in athletics.  If the contingency budget goes into effect, he says the district cannot buy new equipment, and it may have to ban use of facilities.

All three districts plan to discuss the next step further at board of education meetings May 25. 

Fulton Budget Information

Canastota School District

Onondaga Central Schools