A harsh budget season, courtesy of the Governor's budget cutbacks and the economic doldrums, capped by a miserably wet day led to reduced turnout for the budget and school board votes. However, the budgets passed. Ellenville returned its veterans to the board, Pine Bush saw two candidates win unopposed, and only at Rondout Valley was a single incumbent defeated.

ACCORD – Rondout Valley voters approved a $58.8 million spending plan and returned two out of three incumbents to the Board of Education when they went to the polls on May 17.

James Blair, one of two new challengers for the three board seats, was elected along with James Ayers and Kent Anderson, who are each being returned for another term.

The budget received 1,425 yes votes, while 1,058 voted "no" on the plan. For the board, Anderson was the top vote-getter with 1,290, Ayers received 1,286, and Blair got 1,255, earning each of them a seat on the board as of July 1. Incumbent Pamela Longley racked up 1,108 votes, and newcomer Peri Rainbow receive 828.

The budget reduces spending by 2%, but with dwindling state aid translates into a 4% tax levy increase. Nearly 50 positions were cut, with 19 people taking early retirement packages and the district notifying roughly 30 other people that they won't have jobs after June 30, the end of the fiscal year.

Longley said that she is not done serving the district, but she'll need time to regroup. "It's to be determined," she said, but she expects to continue to contribute.

Anderson, the top vote-getting, remarked, "I really appreciate what the citizens have done. I can't say I was expecting it, but I'm happy that it happened."

Blair was pleased with the outcome, saying that he "put a lot of energy into it" and was looking forward to starting his term.

Rainbow was not available for comment at press time.

Ayers was more introspective as he looked forward. "The Governor's trying to fast-track this new [teacher] evaluation system," he said, "and I don't think we're ready." His concern is that state officials are "going to ram that in there" without the necessary preparations, "and boy, that's really going to be interesting."

PINE BUSH – In a dour budget year, with a doleful amount of rain falling all day, Pine Bush School District voters approved the budget laid before them without much enthusiasm. The vote was 1,305 in favor and 1,093 against (last year it was 1,467 to 1,134). As usual, Walker Valley voted no, by 318 to 259. This year, Bloomingburg joined Walker Valley on the no side, 159-148. But as is also the usual pattern, the solid yes votes in Pine Bush and Circleville ensured acceptance of the $98,173,714 budget.

The budget included a 5.99 percent increase in the tax levy and the cutting of 22 teaching positions.

Two school board seats were also voted on, unopposed. Richard J. Smith, the well known realtor in Pine Bush, received 1,699 votes, and Joe Peluso, running for his second term received 1,507.

John "Jay" Anthony, who gave up his seat on the board after many years of service, said, "This was the quietest it's been on a budget vote, and I was a bit concerned, knowing that a 5.99 percent increase was pretty steep for our community. But, it did pass, and now the big question for next year will be whether or not there is a statewide property tax cap."

ELLENVILLE – Voters have OK'd the proposed $45,987,818 Ellenville Central School District budget for 2011-12. The three incumbent trustees will also return to the Board of Education after defeating two challengers.

The budget passed, 682-385. It raises the tax levy by 2.58%. What does that mean for residents? An estimate shows that this year, the average tax bill for a $100,000 home was $1,612.00. The budget for 2011-12 shows an average tax bill of $1,662.00, an estimated increase of $50 per year.

Incumbents Santo "Chan" Rivera, current board President Carolyn Kuhlmann and Philip Mattracion defeated Francis Gurgui and Donald Oglesby for new three-year terms. Rivera received 936 votes, Kuhlmann received 929 and Mattracion received 818. Oglesby received 287 votes, and Gurgui earned 257.

One paper ballot had to be verified. There was one write-in vote for Clifton Long.

Kuhlmann and Rivera both attended Ellenville High School. Kuhlmann, who earned her sixth term on the board, is a retired teacher with the Ellenville school district. Rivera is a retired bus driver and is actively involved with the local volunteer fire department and several civic organizations. This is his third term on the board. Mattracion, the Ellenville village police chief, has two daughters who attend school in the district. He was appointed last year to fulfill a vacancy, but has served on the board previously.