Vote this Tuesday on Budgets and Boards

By Dan Hust
SULLIVAN COUNTY — May 14, 2010 — This year’s proposed public school budgets are products of some of the most intense and difficult discussions ever faced by the local districts.
That’s why officials are hoping voters take the time to approve or reject the budgets this Tuesday, May 18.
Most districts will also have contested races for open board seats, so residents and taxpayers will have a chance to make a real difference.
Six of the eight in-county districts were covered in this past Tuesday’s Democrat. Here are the remaining two:
Livingston Manor
At $14,670,635, Livingston Manor’s proposed 2010-2011 budget remains the same as last year’s.
The accompanying 3.73 percent increase in the tax levy is a result of increasing costs across the board.
Voters will also be asked to both approve a $2,000 increase in the Livingston Manor Free Library’s budget and the district’s collection of the taxes to fund that $75,500 budget.
One three-year seat is open: that of Elaine Lotz, who is running unopposed.
Polls will be open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. inside the school’s elementary library on School Street in Livingston Manor.
For more information, call 439-4400, ext. 1209 or log on to lmcs.k12.ny.us.
Tri-Valley
Tri-Valley’s proposed $29,804,195 budget for 2010-2011 represents a 1.63 percent decrease from last year’s.
Still, the tax levy is projected to rise by 2.61 percent, due to rising costs and nearly $1 million in state aid anticipated to be cut.
One retiree’s position will not be filled, but no other staff or program losses are anticipated.
Three board seats are open, with incumbents Michael Ryan and Wanda Terwilliger seeking re-election to their three-year posts. Incumbent Thomas Yager is not seeking re-election, but there are five other candidates: Leonard Bernstein, Curtis Brock, Terry James, Gary TerBush and D. Jane Tingley. The top three vote-getters will earn spots on the board.
Voting will take place from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. at the school’s main gym off Moore Hill Road and Route 55 in Grahamsville.
For more information, contact the district at 985-2296, ext. 5102, or log on to www.tvcs.k12.ny.us.