Despite tax bump, Horseheads school district voters approve budget. See Chemung results.

Residents in school districts across the Southern Tier went to the polls Tuesday to vote on proposed school budgets and board of education candidates.

Two school districts that went through difficult budget processes ended up with different results, with voters in the Horseheads Central School District approving the tentative spending plan despite a property tax increase, while a similar budget proposal in the Corning-Painted Post School District was shot down.

Elsewhere, voters in other area school districts, including Elmira and Elmira Heights, gave the green light to their proposed 2024-25 budgets Tuesday. District officials were expected to canvas all the results and make them official Wednesday.

Here's a look at how local school district elections turned out:

Horseheads Central School District

A proposed nearly $102.7 million budget, up 9.37% from the current spending plan, also included a 9.36% increase in the tax levy that required 60% voter approval to override a mandated 2% state cap on a tax levy hike.

Voters provided that supermajority, with 1,824 (66.81%) voting yes, and 906 voting no. Residents also approved a proposition to buy new school buses by a vote of 1,732 to 985.

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There were eight candidates running for three seats on the Horseheads Board of Education. The top three vote-getters were Julie Monahan with 1,130, Susan Ungvarsky with 1,187, and Kristine Dale with 1,058 votes.

Elmira City School District

On the ballot was a proposed $150.7 million budget, up about $3.7 million from the 2023-24 spending plan. While spending was up, school officials were able to keep the tax rate stable thanks to anticipated increases in state and federal aid and a transfer from reserves.

Voters overwhelmingly approved the tentative budget, 669 to 186.

Five candidates vied for three open seats on the board of education. Winners were Jerry Holleran with 559 votes, William Finnerty with 517, and Michele Johnson with 503.

Elmira Heights Central School District

Residents in Elmira Heights will see a slight increase in the tax levy under a proposed $27.87 million budget that was approved Tuesday.

Voters easily passed the spending plan, 221 to 54. Residents also green lighted purchase of two school buses, with 217 yes votes and 57 no votes.

Three candidates were in the running for two available school board seats. Top vote getters were Dominic Lucarelli with 147, and Terrance Day with 124.

Corning-Painted Post School District

Residents were asked to approve a proposed $139.2 budget featuring a 4.97% tax levy hike.

Since the levy exceeded the 2% cap, a 60% supermajority was needed to pass, and voters didn't provide it.

Instead, residents cast 1,431 yes votes (50.23%) and 1,418 no votes.

A proposition to approve two large buses and other vehicles for $944,000 was approved, 1,725 to 1,118, while a proposition authorizing $1.48 million for the Southeast Steuben County Library passed, 1,734 to 1,118.

Four candidates ran for three open school board seats. Top vote getters were Kelley Bacalles with 2029, Sam Nichols with 1673, and Dale Wexell with 1423 votes.

Odessa-Montour Central School District

Residents easily passed a $21.26 million proposed budget by a vote of 146 to 30.

Voters also approved several additional propositions, including one for purchase of two school buses for up to $330,000; $86,710 for support of the Dutton S. Peterson Library; establishment of a $4 million capital reserve fund; establishment of a $4 million transportation reserve fund; and establishment of a $1 million maintenance reserve fund.

There were three candidates for three open school board seats. Winning three-year terms were Jason Dechow, Robert Halpin and Dana Sgrecci.

Watkins Glen Central School District

Voters in Watkins Glen approved the nearly $30.2 million spending plan with 195 yes votes, and a proposition to lease diesel school buses passed with 202 yes votes.

There were four candidates for two open school board seats. The top vote getters were Joe Stansfield with 156, and Barbara Schimizzi with 134.

Waverly Central School District

Voters approved a $42.35 million budget, 215 to 72. They also overwhelmingly passed two propositions, one to lease buses and another for a capital improvement project.

Two candidates were elected to the Waverly Board of Education — David Ackland with 235 votes, and Janel Golden with 187 votes.

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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Chemung County school district voters approve budgets, elect boards