WOLCOTT – The second school budget vote, Tuesday, April 28, failed with150 no votes and 140, just 10 fewer, voting yes on the $6.14 million budget. Three ballots were recorded as spoiled.
Just 293 of Wolcott’s 1294 registered voters cast a ballot, meaning the winning no votes represented less than 12% of voters.
This second budget would have lowered the tax rate 4.5 cents to 25.5 cents.
OSSU Superintendent of Schools, David Baker said he was disappointed that the budget failed to pass by just 10 votes. “Certainly there are no other places to cut without making serious cuts to staff, which will affect student outcomes. The board has been adamant about not cutting staff.”
School Board Chair Elliott told the News and Citizen he “is hoping to have the next vote sometime in June before the next fiscal year begins, when the district would be forced to operate at reduced funding levels. State law says districts can borrow to keep the school running, but at 87 percent of current operating expenses.” It was also reported, “the budget is very tight, and he does not want to cut personnel.”
The Wolcott Town School Board governs a PreK-12 school district, which includes Wolcott Elementary School as well as the tuition of Wolcott students in grades 7-12. As a result, the town is in the difficult position of being dependent on tuitioning middle and high school students wherever parents choose to send them.
The board has an option to designate up to three high schools and then negotiate tuition with them, said Baker. “They have certainly talked about it seriously.” At this point, it’s a problem with timing, he said. Voters would have to approve that and a budget before June 30.
Wolcott has faced several years of difficult issues, following two years of flooding and the recent decision to proceed with a town wastewater treatment system.
The next scheduled school board meeting is May 21, but an earlier special meeting is likely “because they have to have a warned budget by the end of this month,” said Baker.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
