The Kingston City School District’s proposed $150.17 million 2014-15 budget got a warm reception at the polls, gliding to a hassle-free 2,040-1,422 win Tuesday, May 20, according to unofficial results.
Out of a field of seven candidates, three were elected to three-year terms on the school board – incumbent and current board VP Nora Scherer led all vote-getters with 1,851. Next was newcomer Priscilla Lowe with 1,357; incumbent the Rev. James Childs won another term with 1,322. Finishing just out of the winners’ circle was Danielle Guido with 1,316 votes. Jolyn Safron tallied 1,088; Richard Altman collected 1,079; Steven Spicer got 752.
“I’m very honored to have been elected to serve three more years,” said Scherer, who will begin her second term as a trustee when the administrative school year flips over at the end of next month. She acknowledged that being a trustee is “difficult at times” and “very busy,” but said she also finds it “exciting.”
Lowe, a retired 32-year KCSD teacher, said she was also excited. “I’m looking forward to doing what’s right for the community, for the students, for the teachers, for everybody.”
District Superintendent Paul Padalino was also happy, ascribing the success at the polls to the budget’s “We had a good budget, it was a solid budget, it was to responsible our taxpayers. We kept our employees – no layoffs this year – and we kept our students’ programs, most importantly.”
Padalino noted that the two incumbents up for election – Trustee Maureen Bowers opted to not run for another three years – indicated a level of community confidence. “I think that says the voters are happy with the direction the district is going. … The board is working together as a board, it’s a great board to work with. … I think the board has been able to stay together and put a new mission out here for our district and really focus on our students. They don’t have any other agenda other than what’s best for our students.”
Separate propositions which extended property tax breaks for veterans and gives the district the OK to lease warehouse space also passed easily.
This is ridiculous. Having a vote on this magnitude of importance tucked into the off-year schedule is not good for our community. As much as I tried to stay focused, I became distracted by work projects and, well, life. We need the schools to be managed and voted upon at the same time as we deal with all government as voters and citizens.