Special to the OBSERVER
Despite doom and gloom predictions over Gov. David Paterson’s proposed cut in state aid to schools, 92 percent of school budgets statewide were approved by voters Tuesday.
That percentage was lower in Chautauqua County, where three of the four largest proposed tax levy increases in the county – Jamestown, Brocton and Fredonia – were defeated by voters. Southwestern, the fourth budget defeated at the polls, proposed a spending increase of nearly $350,000.
While it might appear the expected voter fury over high spending was merely a whimper, a look back at the numbers shows Chautauqua County’s budget passage rate of 83 percent was less than the state average, while the four budgets voted down is the most in Chautauqua County in more than a decade.
For those districts, voters sent a clear message to cut taxes and spending….
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