school budget

In New York, registered voters have final say over most school district budgets. Voters cast their ballots earlier this week.

Voters passed local school district budgets in Corning, Horseheads and Prattsburgh one month after their initial votes failed to reach a supermajority.

The Corning-Painted Post school district will lower its proposed 2025-26 budget amount and tax levy for a revote later this month. The district was awarded a $1.8 million grant from Corning Incorporated to bridge a deficit in the reduced budget, after voters rejected the first budget proposal.

Corning-Painted Post school district voters rejected the $8.7 million increase in the proposed budget over last year. The district will decide how to move forward at its board meeting on Wednesday.

Ninety-seven percent of school budgets passed statewide.

The Corning-Painted Post Area school district will vote on a proposed $147 million budget and elect several board members on May 20. Some community members have expressed concerns about losing important programs for students if the budget does not pass. Others are unsettled about the rising costs and high tax levy.

Last month, voters rejected a $139 million proposed budget with a tax levy of 4.97 percent. A newly proposed $138 million budget has a tax levy of 2.97 percent. Voters will cast their ballots Tuesday.

School district officials are now seeking alternative budget options.

School districts across New York have budget votes, propositions and school board elections on Tuesday.

Proposed spending would increase by $10 million, leaving some residents concerned about costs.