Schools face budget votes
Tuesday; prepare for graduations

By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

Budget and board of education elections for schools in Otsego County will take place from noon to 9 p.m., Tuesday, May 18. In addition, schools are preparing for a second year of coronavirus-proof graduations.

Here are the details for each of Otsego’s public school districts:

Cherry Valley-Springfield has a proposed budget of $13.7 million.
Included is a proposition to replace two propane buses which are more than seven years old. The goal of the budget is to maintain present academic programs and extracurricular activities, CVS Superintendent T.J. Climenhaga said.
One BOE seat is open, with incumbent Robert Tabor running.
Graduation will be 11 a.m., Saturday, June 26, at the school.

Cooperstown has a proposed budget of $20.9 million, up 5.59% from
last year. The budget will include a capital project with plans to renovate the main office, in order to improve security in the building.
The BOE election will include three candidates running for three seats: incumbents Anthony Scalici, and Matthew Schuermann and new candidate Denise Hollis.
Graduation will take place at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, June 27, at Lambert 2 soccer field.

Edmeston has a total budget of $10.2 million, with an administration budget of $1.2 million, a program budget of $7.1 million and a capital budget of $1.7.
Laura Hawes is running for her seat in the BOE and David Delker is running for an open seat.
Graduation is 7 p.m., Sunday, June 27.

Gilbertsville-Mount Upton will have a proposed budget of $10.3 million increase, up 1.03% from last year and with a 2.25% tax levy increase. The purchase of a new mower, which will be no higher than $47,250, is included with the passage of the budget.
Three seats on the BOE are up for election. Incumbents Hillary Giuda Phillpott and Sean Barrows are running for BOE seats. Whitney Talbot is also running.
Graduation will be at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, June 25.

Laurens has a total proposed budget of $10.2 million, with an administration budget of $975,260, a capital budget of $2.7 million and a program budget of $6.4 million. There is an increased tax levy of 1.93%.
The purchase of a 24-passenger bus and an extension of bus reserves for ten years at $2.5 million are also on the proposed budget.
One incumbent, Peggy Bush, is running for the BOE.
Graduation is at 7 p.m., Friday, June 25, in the gymnasium. Each graduate will be allowed six guests.

Milford has an $11.1 million proposed budget, a $3.8 increase, with a tax levy increase of 2%.
There are two open seats for the BOE. Four candidates are running: Kyle Lamp, Michael Meeker, Rebecca Burk-Sciallo and Jeremy Velasco.
Graduation will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, June 25, at the school.

Morris has a proposed budget of $9.6 million, with $1 million for administration, $7.2 million in capital and $1.4 million for program costs.
A $100,000 capital outlay project is also in the budget, as it has been so for the past two years. The projectwas delayed because of COVID.
Incumbent Wendy Moore is running for the BOE position.
Graduation will be in the athletic field at 7 p.m., Friday, June 25.

Oneonta has a proposed budget of $52.1 million, a 2.8% increase from last year.
There are two open seats in the BOE with Susan Kurkowski running as an incumbent and Michael Ianelli running unopposed for the vacant position of Jamie Reynolds.
Graduation will take place Saturday, June 26, in an outdoor ceremony.

Richfield Springs has a total of $12.6 million in their budget proposal, with $1.6 million in administration, $9.4 million in program, and $1.5 million in capital.
Incumbent Scot Mondore and Nancy Duevel are running for two BOE spots.
Graduation is Friday, June 25, on the front lawn.

Schenevus will have a total budget of $9.5 million, an increase of 1.26% from last year. The tax levy will be increased by 6.5% from last year. Program budget will be $6.7 million, capital $1.8 million and administration $984,229.
The school will also consider a bus proposition. Budget will include spending on technologies and students with disabilities. The budget must pass with a super majority, at least 60%.
One BOE board is up for grabs, with Jamie Osborne and Cory Spooner running.
Graduation will be at 7 pm. Friday, June 25, at the front lawn of the school.
In addition, the Schenevus BOE is voting Tuesday, June 15, on the first in a series of votes concerning whether to merge with Worcester. If both boards vote yes, another round of voting will take place Wednesday, Sept. 22. If those votes pass, there will be a final vote Saturday, Dec. 4..

Unatego has a total budget of $23.2 million, up 2% from last year. A $27.6 million capital project is also in the budget.
Graduation will be 7 p.m., Friday, June 25, on the football field.

Worcester has a proposed total budget of $11.7 million with a $1.2 million administration budget, a $3.2 million capital budget and a $7.1 million program budget.
William Fisher is running unopposed for the BOE.
Graduation will be Sunday, June 27, on the soccer field. They are waiting on guidance, but the ceremony will be socially distanced.
Worcester’s board is also voting Tuesday, June 15, on merging with Schenevus.