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School budgets pass, turnout low

May 16, 2018 7:45 am

The Times Union is reporting school budgets across the Capital Region May 15, met with overwhelming approval May 15, an election day that, once again, drew few voters. Budgets in Albany, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady and Troy were among the many that voters approved, according to the unofficial results. Budget proposals were approved in Columbia and Greene counties, in all districts where results were reported. Voters were also asked to weigh in on building projects, bus purchases, library budgets and board seats. In the Chatham district, while the proposition to fund building and grounds renovations passed by a wide margin, the proposal to install security cameras in district buildings failed by 56 votes. Library budgets in the Catskill and Greenville districts passed. Despite the influence school district budgets have on property tax bills about 560,000 New Yorkers voted on their local school budgets last year. This represents a 43 percent decrease since 2010, according to a study by the New York State Association of School Business Officials. Read the full story in the Times Union.