Local school districts are pleased as most of the budgets and propositions in the area were passed by voters Tuesday night.

Saratoga Springs City School District residents approved a $107 million budget, 2,399 voting for approval to 1,351 votes for denial for the 2008-09 school year. This is a 2.92 spending increase from the current school year’s budget. The estimated tax levy increase is two to six percent, depending on which town residents live in. With the approved budget, the district will be able to implement several new initiatives which only use about one percent of the funds, according to Superintendent Janice White. 

“The commitment of the Board of Education and staff has been energized by the support from the community,” White said. “We will continue to use these funds to provide a quality education for our children.”

A $3.25 million site improvement for Dorothy Nolan Elementary School funded through a reserve fund, and an $845,000 bus proposition were also passed. The district will purchase eight new 66-passenger buses and one smaller handicap-accessible bus to replace older vehicles that have exceeded their lifespan. Incumbents Jeff Piro, Mia Pfitzer and Frank Palumbo were reelected for a three-year term on the Board of Education.

Voters in the Ballston Spa Central School District approved the proposed budget of $70 million, 1,325 to 1,012. Voters also approved a bus proposition which will allow $896,000 to purchase new buses, with $100,000 being used for rising fuel costs. The new budget will also help to fund the implementation of a full-day kindergarten program, new reading and nano-technology programs, and will help with the configuration of kindergarten through fifth grade schools. Though this budget is a 6.3 percent increase over the current budget, tax levy increases will be around 1.5 percent.

“I want to thank the community for supporting the budget and propositions. This budget will allow several initiatives to move forward within the district,” Superintendent Raymond Colucciello said.

Incumbents Frank Townley and Jeanne Obermayer were re-elected to their seats on the Board of Education for a three-year term, defeating first-time runner Shawn Raymond. Voters also approved a $43,000 proposition to support the local library; however, a $28,000 proposition to support the Ballston Area Recreation Commission was denied.

Schuylerville Central School District’s $30.5 million budget was also approved by residents Tuesday night, 586 to 320. While no new initiatives will be implemented with this budget, there is a projected tax increase of about 3.45 percent due to rising costs of living. Residents also approved the purchase of two diesel buses and one wheelchair bus at a cost of $246,000. Board of Education incumbent Karen Score and Denise Zdobnikow were elected to five-year terms on the board as well.

“We are very pleased that this budget passed, and I thank the community and voters for their support,” said Superintendent Leon Reed. “We will work to be conservative with expenses and keep our test scores up in the future.”