By: Mike Russo
Baldwin residents passed the 2008-2009 proposed school budget, library budget and EXCEL funding proposition on Tuesday, May 20. The school budget passed with 1369 votes, the library budget with 1374 and the EXCEL funding with 1396. In addition, board member Anne Hannon was elected to a second term, earning 1740 votes.
The $110.8 million budget is a 4.77 percent increase over the current year, with a 2.17 percent increase in the tax levy, thanks to hard work by the school board and larger than expected state aid. The budget maintains all current programs.
The library budget, a zero percent increase over the current year, passed as well.
The EXCEL funding passed, which will allow the district to apply for state aid on capital improvement projects and be reimbursed the following year.
"We are very pleased that the budget passed and it gives us a good spending plan to go forward into the next year. We are particularly happy that the EXCEL proposition passed as well," said Mary Jo O'Hagan, vice president of the school board.
Hannon, who was unopposed in running for her second term on the school board, received overwhelming support from Baldwin residents, and was re-elected.
"I'm delighted," said O'Hagan. "She has done everything that is required of her and has proven herself to be a very passionate board member."
