2011-12 School Budget Vote: Residents Hit the Polls

Droves of village residents headed to the voting polls at South Side High School today to vote on the , as well as two candidates running for Board of Education seats.

According to District Clerk Cynthia Geones, 1,303 residents had voted as of 4 p.m. More than 4,600 residents voted last year on the current budget, she said, which was a record turnout. She noted that on average, between 2,500 and 3,000 residents vote on the budget per year.

Louisa Caccavo, 29, and a 1999 South Side High alum, said she voted for the 2011-12 budget even though she doesn't have kids in the district. "This is about preparing our students for the future," she said. "If we don't, they'll have nothing but the basics [in the district]."

Jean Harris, an RVC resident for the past eight years, said the 2011-12 budget was a financially responsible one, and the Board of Education did a "phenomenal job" controlling costs, which is why she voted for it. "I think the budget is incredibly reasonable," she said. "It's a small difference between the contingency budget and the one they're putting forward. It's minimal."

There were some residents, however, like Gale Pearl, who said the budget was too high and that administrative and teacher salaries have become exorbitant. She voted against the fiscal plan.

"Our superintendent makes way too much money," Pearl said. "Why does he make a half million dollars? It's disgusting. There's too many administrators and half the teachers don't deserve the salary they get. If people vote yes for this budget, they're insane."

Polls close at 9 p.m.