Residents statewide go to the polls Tue., May 15, to vote on school district budgets for the 2018-19 school year and to elect school board members. Although school budgets have a significant impact on a property owner's tax bill, turnout is typically low for these votes. In Columbia and Greene counties, districts are proposing an average tax levy increase of 2.48 percent, a significant increase over the average last year of 1.6 percent. The tax fluctuations vary from a 3.3 percent tax levy percent in the Taconic Hills Central School District, to a 0 percent increase in the New Lebanon district. Of the nine local districts where information is available, all but one are increasing the tax levy. Also on the ballot -- school board elections and other propositions, including the purchase of school buses (Cairo-Durham), capital fund votes (Chatham, Germantown and Taconic Hills) and library support (Catskill and Greenville). Depending on the district where you live, polling times may differ. Voting information is available from the school district of the county Board of Elections.