Resounding ‘no’ sends Sullivan West back to the drawing board

By KIMBERLY M. WEYANDT

CALLICOON, NY – At 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17 the Sullivan West Central School District concluded its budget vote, and the results show that a clear majority of voters disagree with the school board’s solution to the district’s financial challenges.

The 1,348 residents who voted “no” to decline the proposed $29,591,785 budget that would have mandated shutting down the Narrowsburg and Delaware Valley elementary schools overshadowed the 766 votes in favor of the proposal, which has been a topic of heated discussion and the cause of many late night school board and community meetings.

Dozens of letters, phone calls and signs made their way around the district in the past few months. The following is what voters outside of the Narrowsburg, Delaware Valley and Jeffersonville voting locations had to say about why they voted the way that they did.

“I voted no because I wanted to have more say on whether we keep the schools open or not,” said Kimberly Ginty.

“I voted for the budget because I felt that if we go to austerity it would be detrimental to the children and they would lose a lot like sports, extra-curricular and trips,” said a woman who did not want to be named.

“I voted no because I believe that the schools should remain open not only for the children and the bussing problems but also because it will affect real estate values. I’d rather pay a few more dollars in taxes than lose the greater equity of my home,” said Nancy Avignone.

“I voted no because I think taxes are high enough for the seniors,” said Viola Folton.

“It doesn’t affect me directly but I know that the schools mean a lot to the parents and I wanted to help them out,” said Charles Blanchard.

“We voted no because we can’t see putting little kids on the bus for an hour or more, and that’s only part of the problem,” said Julie Kennen.

“I voted yes because I’m a teacher and if we go to austerity it will just be worse,” said Shelia Schultz.

“I voted no because we’ve been lied to and no one is representing us in an honest way and I’m very mad about the situation,” said Mary Lebourdais.

“I’m very disappointed in the way things are going,” said Vera Highhouse.

“We’ve got to do something with this situation. Closing schools isn’t good for the community. They shouldn’t have built the new school,” said Robert Sykes.

“I voted no because I’m opposed to them closing two schools and I don’t like the way the school board decided without consulting the population,” said Therese Boucher. “It’s a hardship for the kids to take long trips. I was a teacher and I know that a child doesn’t do well in big classes or if their hours are extended too long.”

“I don’t think it makes any sense to spend all the money that they did and then close two perfectly good schools,” said Tabitha Leclere.

“I think the only chance we have of saving the schools is to vote no. I don’t understand how they have extras like Spanish in the elementary classes and AP classes in the high school and they don’t even have remedial reading classes,” said Kay Rosenberger.

“I think it’s better for the kids and the community and hopefully it will create unity,” said Mike Ellmauer.

“I voted no because if we vote yes we will send a signal to Albany that life is good. I said no to send them a signal that we need some sort of investigation about how this all came to pass,” said a man who wanted to remain nameless.