Region 14 Budget Fails at May 8 Referendum

The Region 14 budget for 2012-13 failed, 1,203 to 836 districtwide, at a Tuesday, May 8, referendum.

The now failed budget, at $31,205,513, featured a 3.17-percent increase or  $959,484 over the 2011-12 budget of $30,246,029.

Bethlehem Voters

Yes: 170

No: 276

Woodbury Voters

Yes: 666

No: 927

Voter turnout in Woodbury was approximately 24 percent. Of the 6,658 people on the eligible list of voters, 1,593 people voted.

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Region 14 Board of Education Chairman Chuck Cosgriff said the board will have to look at what was proposed. He said it is possible that a special meeting will be scheduled between now and the regularly scheduled meeting of Tuesday, May 22, but said he will speak with Superintendent Jody Goeler first.

Board member Gary Suslavich said he knew the budget would not pass the first time around. He said he feels the budget does not need to be flat in order to pass.

"Anything over one and a half — and I think that's being generous — I think the taxpayers will consider it," he said.

Woodbury resident Tom Arras said when the powers that be — the Boards of Selectmen in Bethlehem and Woodbury and the two Boards of Finance — share their opinion on the school budget, it is important for the Board of Education to listen. The economic times are tough, he said.

"You can't ask for more from people who are making less," said Arras. "It just doesn't work."

What would you like to see from the Region 14 Board of Education's next proposed budget? Tell us more in the comments.