The Canastota Central School District community approved the district’s proposed budget of $31,613,948 for the 2020-21 school year by a vote of 1,045 yes to 465 no.
The new budget, which takes effect July 1, represents a spending increase of 1.18 percent and stays within the tax cap. The district achieved this by creating new efficiencies in its operations, reducing overall staffing through attrition and by utilizing some of its fund balance to reduce the burden on taxpayers.
Voters also approved purchasing three buses by a vote of 1,015 yes to 489 no, and they approved establishing a new $5 million reserve fund by a vote of 994 to 510. For the school board vote, incumbents Bill Haddad and Wesley Hood were re-elected to their seats.
Canastota district leaders thanked their community members for their continued support of educational opportunities.
“I want to thank the Canastota School District voters for coming out in support of our students and community during an unprecedented time and with an unprecedented method of voting,” Board of Education President Bill Haddad said. “We don’t take the community’s support for granted. We will continue to be good stewards of the district’s money to maximize opportunities for students.”
The entire school budget process was different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. School votes were conducted entirely by absentee ballot, requiring districts to mail ballots to all residents, and the date of the vote was delayed twice by the state governor. In addition, districts were required to develop spending plans for the next school year without a clear picture of their revenue, due to the governor’s indication that state aid allocations may be reduced mid-year to help the state balance its own budget.
Given those conditions, Superintendent Shawn Bissetta said the Canastota community’s support of the budget is even more meaningful.
“With so much uncertainty and so many people struggling financially, the community approving our budget shows they have confidence in what we’re doing,” he said. “The board and administration couldn’t be more pleased about it. We are looking at a very difficult year, but the Canastota community is known for coming together in tough times and I know we will come out of this even stronger.”