School budgets pass with ease

TRI-COUNTY AREA--Area school districts held their annual voting for budgets and board members, Tuesday, May 16. The budgets passed as presented at Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport and Watkins Glen.
In Dundee, the $18,065,017 budget passed 238 yes votes to 65 no votes. A proposition for bus purchases was voted through 248-59 and the transportation proposition passed 234-72.
There were four candidates running for four positions. Kevin Crofoot, Robert Neu, Jared Webster and Andy Simmons were elected.
Penn Yan's $35,166,153 budget passed 595-113. There were also three other propositions that passed as well. They were for transportation vehicles (582-125), capital reserve (590-114) and the Branchport Library (569-136).
The three positions on the board were filled by the three candidates, Nancy Scher, David Willson and Robin Johnson.
The Hammondsport budget was for $13,996,689 and it passed 188-21. There was one open school board position and it was retained by Rick Drain.
Watkins Glen voters approved the $27,220,200 budget 334-100. There were four candidates running for three positions on the school board. Kris Clarkson (308 votes), Gloria Brubaker (291) and Tracey VanSkiver (290) were elected. Keith Caslin (268) will not retain his board seat.
Watkins had a capital project vote earlier this year. At the March 28 vote, residents approved a plan to spend $12.64 million on roofing, repairs, safety improvements and athletic field renovations.
For Odessa-Montour, the budget and propositions for a capital reserve fund and bus purchases passed. The $16,642,703 budget was approved 167-34.
There were two open board seats and two candidates. Jennifer Mosher and William Shrout were elected by taxpayers.