August 2005

On the third Tuesday in May, all school districts, with the exception of the Big 5 city school districts, are required to submit a budget proposal to the voters. On May 17, 2005 voters in 679 school districts cast a “Yes” or “No” vote on their school district's budget. Of those 679 budgets, 567 were approved and 112 were defeated, an 83.5% approval rate. This 83.5% approval rate is the lowest approval rate since 1995.

This Information Bulletin details the:

• School budget voting results,
• Proposed increases in the property tax levy,
• Budget voting turnout,
• Actions taken by the 112 school districts with a defeated budget,
•  Budget re-voting results, and
• Calculation and impact of the contingency budget cap.

The memo and accompanying charts are available at www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/update-jul05.pdf.

NYSUT's Division of Research and Educational Services serves as the research arm of NYSUT, providing information and assistance to Field Services, to other NYSUT divisions, and to local leaders. In addition, the Division provides a variety of information and workshops to local leaders and to local member organizations.

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