Bedford School District Has Decision to Make on Budget

A majority of voters approved the budget for the Bedford Central School District but, because the proposed tax levy was over the state mandated tax cap of 2 percent, a supermajority of 60 percent was needed for passage.

Interim Superintendent of Schools John Chambers said the percentage of yes votes was 58.78 percent.

In a email to district residents, he said the number of “yes” votes was 2,597 versus 1,821 “no” votes.

“It was good to see such a large turnout of voters, and we are thankful to all who took the time to study the issues, weigh the choices and take the time to exercise this important civic responsibility,” Chambers wrote.

He said the district now has three options: having the public vote on the same spending package as was voted on May 17; put out a new budget that is at or below the tax cap, with $2.8 million in reductions (this would only require a simple majority for passage), or immediately go to the contingency budget, which would mean $4.3 million in reductions and have the same tax levy as the current year.

There will be a Board of Education meeting May 25 for discussion. Budget adoption will take place at a meeting June 1. The budget materials must be ready for the public by June 7.

A budget hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 14, with the public going to the polls June 21 to vote on the spending package.