Canajoharie Central School District residents on May 21 approved the district’s 2019-20 school budget by a vote of 161 to 93, a margin of 63.3 percent.
The approved $22.58 million budget reflects a 0.89 percent spending decrease over the current year’s budget and carries a 3.5 percent tax levy increase.
Residents also elected Peter Lawrence to a five-year term on the Board of Education with 210 votes. Lawrence, whose term begins on July 1, 2019, replaces Cheryl Vroman, who did not seek reelection.
“We appreciate the support of the community and all who came out to vote today,” said Superintendent Deborah Grimshaw. “The district’s goal in putting together the budget was to maintain staff and programs to the greatest degree possible while being mindful of long-term district financial stability. This required some tough decisions, but through a collaborative effort with staff, administrators and the board, we were able to develop a budget that allows us to continue to move forward.”