School budget votes, board elections set for Tuesday
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

Voters across New York state go to the polls from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday to cast ballots on school budgets and school board candidates.

Haverling school district residents, who make up he largest voting bloc in central Steuben County, will vote on a $29.1 million budget that will increase the tax levy by 4.76 percent. The budget would require a property tax rate of $16.99 per $1,000 of market value.

Haverling voters also will cast ballots for three school board candidates. Veteran school board member L. Jay Dickson is running unopposed for reelection. Tod Martin and Ron Deming are competing for the seat of Allen Swan, who is retiring from the board.

Haverling voters will have another issue to consider when they go to the polls Tuesday. Included on the school district ballot will be a proposition asking for a $20,000 increase in the annual public funding the Dormann Library. The increase would raise the public portion of the library's revenues from $150,000 to $170,000.

According to Dormann Library Director Carol Berry, the additional funds are needed to support increased library hours, additional staff and higher operating costs (See accompanying graph).

"We had 60,000 people walk through our doors last year," Berry told The Courier, noting library activity has increased in all areas, including circulation and computer usage.
Year               Computer Use               Increase
2000                       8343                       xx
2001                       12125                   3782
2002                       13607                   1482
2003                       13848                     241
2004                       15816                   1968
2005                       17257                   1441
2006                       22216                   4959
                    From 2000 to 2006
2000                       8343                       xx
2006                       22216                   13873
                                                Up 266%
                  CIRCULATION STATS
Year                 Library Checkouts     Increase
1998                       54714                       xx
1999                       79209                   24495
2000                       78698                     -511
2001                       78160                     -538
2002                       81358                   3198
2003                       81639                     281
2004                       86456                   4817
2005                       87311                     855
2006                       93629                   6318
                    From 1998 to 2006
2000                       54714                       xx
2006                       93629                   38915
                                                Up 171%
                COMPUTER STATS