Newark School budget defeated
By John Zornow

Voters of the Newark Central School District rejected a proposed $36.4 million dollar 2004-2005 budget Tuesday by a margin of 826 to 805. If the budget had been approved, the taxpayers would have been faced with a 7.9% increase in property taxes.

A general somber mood prevailed as results were announced after the polls closed. There were many teachers and school officials present, with Superintendent of Schools Robert Christmann indicating that it was up to the board to decide what to do next. By law, the district is allowed to put the budget proposition up to the voters one more time, with or without changes. If the budget is defeated the second time, a contingent budget automatically kicks in. Under state law, a contingency budget is directly linked to the consumer price index. If a second vote is undertaken by the district, and fails, as much as $881,710 more in cuts would have to be found. Christmann has described the effects of a contingency budget to the district as 'devastating'.

Jack Dubler elected to the board.

'I don't like coming in this way,' said Dubler, referring to the budget defeat, as he was congratulated by several citizens on his victory. Dubler received 1141 votes; incumbent Roberta Colacino, who received 1226 votes. Board President Jeff Snow, a six-year board member, was defeated, coming in third with 623 votes.

Dubler, a Newark native, is retired from the Rochester Police Department, and currently is employed by the Newark Pennysaver as circulation manager. Roberta Colacino has been a board member for three years and currently serves as board vice president. She is a Special Education teacher with BOCES.

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