Residents of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District will vote later this month on a measure that would add a non-voting student to its seven-member Board of Education.
The resolution will appear as proposition three on the May 19 school budget ballot. It calls for appointing a senior each year to the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Board of Education. The non-voting student would attend meetings, sit at the table and participate in public discussions, but not be allowed to sit in on executive sessions of the board.
Eligible students would be high school seniors who have lived in the district for at least two years and served on the high school’s Student Government Organization. If approved, the board will work with school administrators and the high school principal to define the procedures for appointing an eligible student.
“Student perspective has always been important to the board,” longtime member John Blowers said. “This school year we’ve had a regular student presence at our board meetings in an informal capacity, and the input has been invaluable to our decision-making process.”
Here’s what is on the district ballot on May 19:
Budget amount: $62,730,265
Spending change: 3.76 percent
Tax impact: Levy would increase a projected 2.68 percent; tax rate would increase 1.76 percent. Estimated average increase to tax bill would be $66 to $78, depending on where you live.
Board of Education election: Jennifer Bradt, who filled a vacancy this year, and incumbent James Maughan are seeking two available seats.
Proposition: Authorize spending up to $510,000 to purchase five school buses.
Proposition: Add a non-voting, student member position to the Board of Education.
Vote: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 19 in the high school gym.
Source: Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central Schools