98 percent of school budgets pass
By KELLY FAY
Unofficial results from Tuesday's vote on school board budgets indicate most districts have approved their proposed spending plans according to the state's leading teacher's union. New York State United Teachers performed a preliminary analysis of the results which found 98 percent of budgets from reporting school districts were approved as of 9 a.m. Wednesday.
According to the analysis, 549 budgets were approved and 12 defeated, indicating voters strongly support their local schools. Counts were not immediately available for 100 schools. Twenty-four districts sought to increase taxes beyond the 2 percent cap included in the state budget, which requires the approval of a supermajority of 60 percent of voters. Of those seeking to sidestep the cap, 14 received the votes to do so.
NYSUT President Karen Magee said the results were not surprising.
"New York's public schools do a great job," Magee said. "Parents and community members know it, and that confidence in teachers and schools staff led to another ringing endorsement of responsible school budgets that invest in students and programs, and help move public education forward."
http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-05-21-88007.113122-98-percent-of-school-budgets-pass.html
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