Bemus Point school budget up for another vote...

Voters in the Bemus Point School District are again voting on a $13.1-million, 2013-2014 budget today.  The spending plan was rejected by 12 votes back on May 21.  School Superintendent Jackie Latshaw says the school board voted earlier this month to put essentially the same spending plan up for a second vote today from 2 to 8:30 p.m.  Bemus Point was one of a handful of districts in Western New Yrok that saw it's budget defeated.  Latshaw says there was further discussion... and, the board agreed to tweak the 2013-2014 proposal... to reallocate administrative savings to cover needed technology and core materials.  While the proposal increases taxes by 5.6-percent... Latshaw says it still falls under the 2-percent property tax cap when exclusions are included.  Latshaw says the tax increase would be 78-cents per $1,000 assessed value. But... board officials say there's "no fluff" in the budget.  Latshaw adds a lot of people were out of town last month with school sports events... and, other events... and assumed the spending plan would pass.  But... she adds there are others concerned about any tax increase.  A more detailed explanation was given at last week's budget hearing.

WACS-Brocton straw vote taking place to see if residents want to move to next step in possible merger...

There are also votes today in the Brocton... and, Westfield Academy and Central School Districts.  Both are conducting a straw vote on whether or not the two districts should merge.  The vote will run from now until 8 PM tonight in both districts.  Polling in the Brocton school district will be in the foyer of the new gym... while voting in the Westfield district will be in the high school lobby.