Baldwin passes school budget 2397 to 860

An anxious second round of voting concluded with the passage of Baldwin's revised budget proposal last night. The final tally, which included absentee ballots, was 2397 "yes" votes to 860 "no" votes. The budget, which increased school taxes by 3.14 percent, required only a 50 percent majority for passage. It was a scaled back version of an earlier 7 percent plan, which failed to meet New York state's 60 percent supermajority requirement.

Many in Baldwin feel this budget underspends and will place a chokehold on education — an area in which Baldwin takes great pride. A Board of Education meeting has already been scheduled for June 19 at 7 p.m. in the district office (960 Hastings St.) to discuss the procedures governing independent fundraising efforts on behalf of Baldwin Schools.