On Tuesday, May 18, Bethlehem Central School District voters will consider a $102 million budget for the 2021-22 school year that would maximize in-person learning for all students K-12 in a safe learning environment. 

In-person voting will return to BC this year. As in past years, voting will take place in Gym A at Bethlehem Central High School, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Absentee ballots are also available for voters. Face masks and social distancing are required on school property. 

The proposed 2021-22 budget would reduce overall spending by 1.4 percent and carry a tax levy increase of less than one percent, an amount below the district’s tax cap. Tax rates in both the town of Bethlehem and the town of New Scotland are expected to decrease as a result of growth in local assessment values. 

The proposed budget for the coming school year was adopted unanimously by the Board of Education at its April 14 meeting.

In addition to the budget, voters will also elect two members of the Board of Education, and decide on a series of bus propositions that would upgrade safety features on the buses with GPS technology and begin to transition the district’s bus fleet from diesel to zero-emission electric buses. 

What will I be voting on?

• The proposed 2021-22 BCSD budget
• Board of Education candidates
• Three bus propositions

What does the ballot look like?

• Sample ballot – May 18, 2021