District News

Why should you vote on the 2011-12 Canajoharie Budget?

 

May, 2011

 

With the state-wide school budget vote scheduled for tomorrow, many New Yorkers might be asking themselves, “Does my vote really count?”

In response, Canajoharie Central School District offers the following three reasons:

1. Yes, your vote really does matter.

In many general elections, the pool of eligible voters is so large that it might seem like one individual vote wouldn’t really make a difference in the outcome of the election.
On a local level and in communities like Canajoharie, however, decisions are made by a much smaller group of residents, which means each vote carries more weight – and even more so when voter turnout is low, as historically has been the case in New York State. In general, only 10-15 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots on the school budget. In many districts, there are fewer votes cast than there are students attending the schools.
And if you think your vote can’t make a difference, consider this: For many years, the district's budget was determined by less than 10 votes. And last year in the Middleburgh Central School District, the budget passed by a count of 411-407.

2. School budget votes are your only opportunity to have a direct say in how your tax dollars are spent.

As Americans, we pay taxes to support the operations of government agencies at all levels: Federal, state and local. In most cases, our only opportunity to decide how our tax dollars are spent is through electing representatives whose ideas align with our personal values. Those representatives, in turn, make the final decisions about budget expenditures each year.
This is not the case when it comes to public schools. Although residents do choose representatives to govern the local school district – your Board of Education members – those board members do not have final say on how much money the school district can spend. That responsibility is in your hands: On May 17, it’s up to you to decide if the Board of Education’s recommended spending plan is what you want for Canajoharie schools.


3. This is your community and the future is up to you.

Canajoharie Central School belongs to you, the residents of the community. Besides providing basic education for students, the school serves as one of the cultural centers of the community. Sporting events, plays, concerts and other events have played a vital role in the lives of many of our residents. Since the school district plays such an important role in the life of community members, it’s only fitting that residents have a say in the future of their school district.


Judy Wadsworth, assistant to the executive director of the Monroe County School Boards Association, cited additional reasons:

• You set an example. The students in public schools notice whether adults exercise their civic responsibility.

• Your response is needed. The school board has spent many hours considering options and making spending decisions for your consideration. Respond by voting.