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Coxsackie-Athens, Germantown adopt 2016-17 budgets
The details of two more adopted school budgets have emerged. Melanie Lekocevic is reporting in The Daily Mail the Coxsackie-Athens Board of Education last week adopted that district's 2016-17 spending plan, totaling $29.9 million, and requiring a .5 [point five] tax levy increase. The district was able to stay within the state-mandated tax cap, at the same time it increases spending by nearly a half million dollars. There will be no staff reductions, and no academic programs will be cut. The school board election is uncontested -- three candidates are seeking three open seats. A public hearing on the budget will be held May 3 at the elementary school in Coxsackie; on May 5 at the elementary in Athens. The Germantown Board of Education unanimously approved that district's 2016-17 budget at a meeting on April 13, according to a report from Debby Mayer in the Columbia Paper. The $14.8 million spending plan requires a .64 [point six four] percent tax levy increase. To keep the tax levy increase below the state cap, the district will have to tap its unreserved fund balance. A public hearing on the proposal will be held Wed., May 4 at the school. Residents will also vote to fill two seats on the board of education. Ralph DelPozzo, Lester Olsson and George Sharpe Sr. are competing to fill those seats.