On Monday, Governor Paterson suggested the people of New York would be “very surprised” by the results of yesterday’s school budget votes. To be fair, he didn’t give an actual prediction, simply insinuated voter anger with spending would be on display.

His assertion was disputed by Speaker Silver, who on the same day, predicted New Yorkers would by and large support the spending plans.

“I think people will do what they feel is appropriate,” Silver said. “They’re concerned about educating their children and they’ll act accordingly.”

In the end, it appears Speaker Silver was right.

Roughly 92 percent of school budgets passed yesterday, according to the New York State School Boards Association. It has been keeping track of the votes since 1969, and they say on average 83 percent of budgets are approved each year.

The numbers were down from last year, when an astounding 97% of budgets passed. But they were better than what NYSSBA Executive Director Tim Kremer was hoping for, when we asked him to make a prediction on Capital Tonight Monday. He said he was hoping for better than the average of 83 percent. In a press release out this morning, Kremer praised the efforts of the school districts.

“School boards understand the effect the economy has had on the state and their neighbors,” Kremer said. “The massive number of teacher layoffs, school closings, cuts to academic programs and extracurricular activities could have been worse had districts not tapped into reserve funds or worked hard to negotiate contract concessions with their employee unions.”

It’s hard to say if this vote is a bellweather of what is to come in the November elections. NYSSBA reports the average school budget only increased spending by 1.4%. That is the lowest increase in 15 years.

So, logically, those angry with higher taxes and state spending probably were more inclined to vote for the budgets. Though, another view could be that turnout is so dismal that it isn’t an accurate sample of what we will see in November.

NYSSBA: 92 percent of school budgets pass

FOR RELEASE: May 19, 2010

New York State voters approved 92 percent of school district budgets on Tuesday, May 18, according to an analysis by the New York State School Boards Association.

Initial statewide results gathered by NYSSBA early Wednesday indicate voters have passed 621 of 675 school district budgets. The number of budgets defeated was 52. Two districts were still too close to call.
“School districts worked hard under very trying circumstances to make sure the budgets they presented to voters balanced educational quality with the very real concerns of local taxpayers,” said NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer. “Today’s results are a testament to their efforts.”
Last year, voters approved a record 97 percent of school budgets. The average passage rate since 1969 is 83 percent.
This year, the state budget impasse, the proposed $1.4 billion cut in school aid and the lack of a state budget forced school districts and taxpayers to absorb cost increases alone.
“School boards understand the effect the economy has had on the state and their neighbors,” Kremer said. “The massive number of teacher layoffs, school closings, cuts to academic programs and extracurricular activities could have been worse had districts not tapped into reserve funds or worked hard to negotiate contract concessions with their employee unions.”
The average proposed spending increase of 1.4 percent for 2010-11 is the lowest in 15 years and continues a downward trend. The average spending increase was 2.3 percent in 2009-10, 5.3 percent in 2008-09, 6.1 percent in 2007-08 and 6.3 percent in 2006-07.
In fact, half of all school districts kept their proposed spending increases under 1 percent for the coming year. Thirty percent of districts actually reduced spending.
The average statewide tax levy increase of 3.2 percent was still lower than the five-year average of 4.8 percent. Prior to this year’s proposed cut in state aid, average tax levy increases declined for five straight years, from 6.89 percent in 2005 to 5.91 percent in 2006, 3.91 percent in 2007, 3.37 percent in 2008, and 1.89 percent last year.
In school districts where the budget failed to pass, a second vote may be held on June 15 or school boards may forgo a second vote and adopt a contingency budget. Under state law, this year’s contingency plans are calculated at zero percent growth above the previous year’s budget, though certain areas of spending are exempt.
On Tuesday, voters also filled vacancies on their local school boards and voted on separate propositions to fund such needs as school construction or bus purchases.

“Congratulations to those elected to their local school boards,” added Kremer. “The role of elected school board members has never been more meaningful. These volunteers are now part of the state’s largest group of elected leaders and will play an important part in preparing students for the challenges ahead and making their communities a better place.”
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