by Caledonia, N.Y. — School leaders in the Caledonia-Mumford Central School District, located in Wyoming County, are regrouping after residents voted down the district’s proposed budget earlier this week. The budget was rejected by a margin of 220 to 314.
The vote followed a recent audit by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, which revealed the district’s surplus fund balance was double the state’s legal limit. The report also noted the district had collected more in property taxes than necessary to support operations.
In response, Superintendent Rebekah Chenaille announced that while the district will keep the same proposed budget, it will take a different funding approach.
“We intend to go out with the exact same budget we asked for initially,” said Chenaille. “But instead of requesting additional tax levy, we’ll use more of our reserves to close the gap between revenue and expenses.”
Voters also turned down Proposition 2, which would have authorized the purchase of a new school bus.
A revote on the revised budget is scheduled for June.
