Voters approve school budgets, propositions

ELECTION: Residents also elected
school board members to fill open seats
By ERINN CAIN - ecain@messengerpostmedia.com

Voters headed to the polls Tuesday, May 19 to vote on budgets, various propositions and elect members to open seats on the school boards.

In Newark, voters approved a nearly flat budget of $40,581,640 by a vote of 1,065 to 372. The budget includes a 8.42-percent drop in the tax levy from $12,751,380 in the current budget to $11,677,203. The tax rate will also decrease, from $22.85 per $1,000 assessed value this year to $20.92.

Also on the ballot was a proposition to purchase four 60-passenger buses and one seven-passenger van at a maximum cost of $410,301.11, which passed, 830-333, and a second proposition to create a reserve fund for technology purchases up to $1-million, which passed, 739-332.

Elected to the three open spots on the Newark School Board were incumbents Suzanne Earl with 934 votes and Thomas Ledbetter with 813, and newcomer Rob Crowder with 890. Nick Santino and Todd Nittolo received 752 and 666 votes, respectively. Write-in candidate Thomas Colacino garnered seven votes.

Voters in Marion approved a budget of $17,980,466 — down $172,036 from the current plan — by a vote of 369 to 135. Because of a small increase in property reassessment, the tax rate would be 0.3 percent lower, said school officials. Actual tax bills, however, are based on actual assessed values.

Voters also said yes to a proposition, 309 to 148, to spend up to $439,574 for new buses. The district needs to replace five 2004-models. These five buses will be replaced with five 2009 model year buses.

Steven Mattesen was elected, by 276 votes, to fill the open school board seat vacated by Larry Porter. His opponent, Michael Cramer, tallied 204.

Lyons voters approved a budget of $18,747,452 by a vote of 328-138. The budget will increase 5.9 percent from the current budget of $17,688,448. Taxes will remain essentially flat in the district, as the proposed tax levy — $4,273,843 — and tax rate — $18.91 per $1,000 assessed value — will decrease by 0.2 and .04 percent, respectively, from the current budget.

Elected to the one open spot on the Lyons School Board was incumbent Rich Henry with 398 votes. The race was uncontested.

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