Sun Staff Report

School districts across the state are holding votes on their 2012-13 budgets and Board of Education races today. Here’s what will be decided by Chenango County voters:

AFTON

Today, residents in the Afton Central School District will vote on a proposed 2012-2013 budget of $15,181,775. The year’s budget sees a 3.11 percent increase over last year’s total of $14,724,301 and requires a tax levy increase of 1.49 percent.

Votes will also be cast for school board hopeful Margery Secrest, the sole candidate nominated to fill a vacant, five-year term on the five member board. Additionally, the district is calling for votes to purchase two new 65-passenger school buses in the amount of $211,197.

Polls open today from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Afton High School.

BAINBRIDGE-GUILFORD

Bainbridge-Guilford Central School District voters will cast their ballots for a proposed $16,434,018 spending budget and three open board of education seats.

The budget represents a $322,928 reduction in spending from the 2011-12 plan and a 1.9 percent increase on the tax levy.

Five candidates will run for the open district seats: CeCe Gifford, Emily Hall and Brenda Parsons of Bainbridge and Charles Blincoe and Jason Fleming of Guilford. Blincoe, Fleming, and Parsons are all incumbents.

For more information, visit bgcsd.org.

GREENE

The Greene Central School District is proposing a budget of $23,676,297 for the 2012-2013 school year, leading to a 1.42 percent tax levy increase.

The proposed budget is $284,000 (1.19 percent) less than last year’s $23.9 million budget and the district faces a tax levy increase for the fourth consecutive year as state aid has been reduced again this year.

Along with the budget vote, residents can cast their votes for two school board incumbents – Richard Boeltz and James Strenkert – who are running unopposed for another term.

Polls open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today in the lobby of the high school auditorium.

NORWICH

Norwich City School District voters will weigh-in on a proposed $37,781,355 budget for the 2012-2013 school year, as well as three open seats on the district’s board of education.

If approved by voters, the 2012-2013 budget would see a budget-to-budget increase of 1.86 percent – as compared to the 2011-2012 budget – and include a tax levy increase of 1.79 percent. All activities – including extra-curricular, sports, clubs and other programs – will be maintained through 2013, as will staffing.

Five people will vie for three available seats on the district’s board of education, each of which carries a three-year term. Voting will be held from noon to 9 p.m. today.

“The work that the board did this year reflected a steady, calm and consistent approach to building a budget that provides a quality education for students and at the same time respects the economic conditions of our community,” said Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan. “The district has a history of low budget increases, a five year average of less than 1 percent tax levy but has consistently improved and demonstrated strong academic programming. The Board worked hard for the taxpayers and the students.”

For more information on the 2012-2013 Norwich City School District budget, visit norwichcsd.org.

OTSELIC VALLEY

Otselic Valley Central School District voters will decide on a proposed $9,108,621 budget for the 2012-2013 school year, as well as one seat on the district’s board of education.

The 2012-2013 budget – if approved by voters – would include budget-to-budget increase of 2.29 percent as compared to the 2011-2012 budget, in addition to a tax levy increase of 1.78 percent.

Two people have declared for the vacant board of education seat: Rachel Peabody, of Georgetown, and Donna Liuzzo, of South Otselic. Voting will be held from noon to 9 p.m. today.

“The proposed tax levy increase for this year is the second lowest since 2005 ... this was only made possible due to a change in health insurance and small increases in state aid,” stated OVCSD Superintendent Richard Hughes. “ We have made a concerted effort to find ways to share with neighboring districts so that our students and community can benefit, all while keeping costs down.”

For more information on the Otselic Valley Central School District’s proposed 2012-2013 budget, visit ovcs.org.

OXFORD

Oxford Academy and Central School District residents will vote on a proposed budget of $16,849,098 and three board of education seats.

This figure represents a $86,568 decrease in spending compared to the 2011-12 budget and a 2 percent tax levy increase.

The three people running for the open seats are Dawn Golden and Tahitian Townsend of Oxford, and Timothy O’Brien of McDonough.

For more information about the 2012-13 budget, visit oxac.org.

SHERBURNE-EARLVILLE

The Sherburne-Earlville Central School District’s proposed 2012-2013 spending plan, at $29.7 million, represents an increase of 1.7 percent over the present school year’s.

It calls for a levy of $6.6 million, keeping just under the state mandated 2 percent cap, at 1.9 percent.

Should the budget be adopted by voters, the school district would eliminate two teachers, two teacher assistants, six support staff and one faculty who is retiring. The superintendent and assistant superintendent elected not to increase their salaries. Equipment and supplies were also cut.

Set aside reserves would be tapped for $600,000, which is less than the million dollars it took last year to meet expenses.

Two candidates are on the ballot for one, three-year term vacant seat on the board: Chad Bohnert and Thomas Caton.

Residents may cast their votes in the foyers of the elementary school lobby or middle/high school auditorium from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15.

UNADILLA VALLEY

Unadilla Valley Central School district voters will vote on a proposed $20,118,352 budget for the 2012-13 school year and two seats on the Board of Education.

The budget was increased by 699,108 from the 2011-12 school year and a 4 percent tax levy increase, the first in three years.

Four people will be on the ballot for the empty board seats: Tammie Emrich of Columbus, Jason Gray of New Berlin, William J. Lyons of South New Berlin and Clifton J. Frink.

“We’re had to look at costs with more and more scrutiny to keep up with state mandates and rising costs,” said Mackey. “Luckily, this is by far the best board that I’ve had the privilege of working with and they’ve done a great job keeping us on track.”

For more information about the proposed budget, visit uvstorm.org.