Niskayuna voters approve 2017-18 school budget

Bus purchase approved, Jaquith and Zhao elected to the Board of Education

Niskayuna Central School District voters on Tuesday, May 16, approved the 2017-18 school budget, with 1,713 casting votes in favor of the $81.4 million spending plan and 475 opposed.

Voters also approved the bus purchase proposition by a vote of 1,675 to 513. Rosemarie Perez Jaquith was elected to a second term on the Board of Education and Yu (Jennifer) Zhao was elected to a first term.

The results, announced at Niskayuna High School shortly after polls closed, showed 78 percent of 2,188 total voters supported the budget.

The budget calls for a spending increase of 1.19 percent and a tax levy increase of 2.08 percent, which is the district’s limit based on the state tax cap formula. The budget continues all current programs and services and includes an additional five teaching positions, which will primarily address class size at the elementary and middle school levels.

“I want to thank everyone who took the time to participate in this important process by voting today,” Superintendent Cosimo Tangorra, Jr. said. “The budget will allow the district to address some key priorities and continue initiatives that are aligned with our strategic plan’s focus on academic programs, school culture and partnerships. We are grateful for today’s show of support and will keep working to move the district forward.”

Board of Education Results

There were three candidates for the two seats on the Board of Education on this year’s ballot. The new Board terms will begin on July 1 of this year and go through June 30, 2020. Vote totals are as follows:

  • Rosemarie Perez Jaquith – 1,448
  • Yu (Jennifer) Zhao – 1,210
  • David Apkarian – 1,150