Public school districts across New York state held their annual budget votes and board elections on May 19, and two districts in the Salamanca Press coverage area saw their proposed budgets voted down.

In the Randolph Central School District, voters shot down both the proposed $27.02 million budget, 191-313, and a proposition to purchase and finance vehicles in the next school year, 227-268.

The proposed $27.02 million was a 19.27% increase of the current budget, a nearly $4.4 million jump in spending. The budget carried a $7.32 million tax levy, a 39.75% hike over the current tax levy, which was a roughly $2 million increase.

Meanwhile, David A. Adams (416 votes) and Louise Boutwell (335 votes) were elected to seats on the Randolph school board.

The West Valley Central School District campus on School Street.

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In the West Valley Central School District, all five propositions on the ballot failed. The $10.67 million budget was voted down, 117-247, and the purchase of two minivans from the current transportation reserve failed, 149-211.

Also on the ballot were propositions to establish three separate reserve funds. A transportation reserve for up to $450,000 was shot down, 116-244; a capital reserve fund for up to $1.5 million was defeated, 117-243; and an equipment reserve fund for up to $250,000 failed, 127-228.

Jonathan Boberg was elected to the school board for a five-year term.

By law, if a budget failed in Tuesday’s vote, an altered budget has to be completed by June 2 with a new budget hearing within a week, though a district isn’t required to hold a re-vote. The vote on all amended budgets in the state is set for June 16.

If voters reject a school budget twice, the school board must adopt the contingency budget, though districts may also choose to implement one immediately. The contingency budget features zero growth in the local tax levy compared to the prior year, limits administrative costs and restricts spending to teacher salaries and ordinary contingent expenses needed for daily operations, safety and legal requirements.

Below is a compilation of votes cast in school district elections from May 19 by residents in Cattaraugus County. Results were reported as the Salamanca Press received them and include information about budgets, propositions and school board candidates.

Cattaraugus-Little Valley

Voters approved a $34.79 million budget with a 129-38 tally. A school bus purchase proposition for no more than $931,200 was OK’d, 135-26, and tax levies to the Cattaraugus Free Library and Memorial Library of Little Valley were also approved, 98-70 and 137-28, respectively. A proposition to purchase a parcel of real property at 59 N. Franklin St. for $45,000 passed with a 134-32 tally.

Benjamin Stoll (143 votes) and Cedric Manganiello (107 votes) were each elected to the school board for three-year terms.

Ellicottville

A $16.89 million budget was approved by Ellicottville voters, 160-25. The proposition to lease two school buses for up to $60,000 was OK’d, 169-17. The renewal of the transportation reserve fund for up to $1 million was approved, 162-22, and a proposition to use up to $30,000 from the transportation reserve to purchase vehicles was OK’d by a 166-19 tally.

In an election for one open Board of Education seat, William “Bill” Delity received 177 votes to serve a five-year term.

Franklinville

Voters approved the $23.55 million budget with a 110-54 tally. Michael Brisky was elected to the school board.

Gowanda

A $40.66 million budget was approved by Gowanda voters, 178-59. The proposition to purchase up to four buses for no more than $694,747.16 was given the OK by a 201-36 tally. The establishment of a capital improvements reserve fund for up to $10 million was approved, 181-47. And a proposal to increase appropriations to the Gowanda Free Library by 5% to $64,452.78 was OK’d, 186-42.

In a race for two open Board of Education seats, Aimee Gernatt (196 votes) and Zachary Nobles (173 votes) were elected. Also on the ballot, Brandon Newell received 60 votes.

Salamanca

A $63.82 million budget was approved by district voters with a 146-37 margin. A proposition to purchase an electric school bus for no more than $475,000 was shot down, 59-123. Incumbent Dale R. Colton (164 votes) was re-elected to the school board.