Mt. Pleasant Voters Okay Budget, Board Prez Defeated
Mount Pleasant School District voters comfortably approved the $50.9 million 2012-13 budget Tuesday night and ousted Board of Education President Terry Fowler.
By a count of 612-382, residents approved next year’s budget carrying a 2.4 percent tax levy increase. The district is estimating that next year’s property tax rate hike will be 2.9 percent, which will be translate into an increase of $30.61 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Next year’s spending will be reduced by 0.8 percent.
Though next year’s budget will preserve this year’s student programs, is does call for the layoff of 10 teacher aides districtwide.
In the board race for three seats, Vice President James Grieco received 725 votes, followed next by Vincent D’Ambroso, who received 695 votes. First-time candidate Thomas McCabe, who was not at the high school when the votes were tallied, received 600 votes. Fowler finished with 466 votes. Fowler, Grieco and D’Ambroso ran as a slate this year and were first elected as trustees three years ago.
Minutes after the polls closed at Westlake High School, Fowler reflected on her defeat. “I’m glad James Grieco and Vincent D’Ambroso (will) continue to move the district forward and will always be in that movement,” she said. “They’re younger than I am. They have many more years to continue to do it. And let’s face it, I’m 70 years old “
