A reduced Cobleskill-Richmodnville budget will go back to voters June 19.
School board members made that decision Monday night after hearing more than a dozen speakers plead to spare teachers from further budget cuts.
More than 70 packed the meeting, which came less than a week after C-R's budget defeat.
Voters last Tuesday resoundingly defeated C-R's proposed $35.3 million budget, 987 to 1,209. Carrying a tax levy increase of 4.54 percent, the budget needed 60 percent voter approval because the levy exceeded the state's 2.72-percent limit for C-R.
Board members indicated they'd aim to cut $256,711 from the budget to reach the 2.72-percent levy increase.
"There are different ways to get to that number," said board member Howard Rickard. "We should maintain programs and make every effort to make the curriculum as enriched as possible."
Others agreed.
"We will base our decision making exclusively on how it least impacts the students," board President Bruce Tryon said.
Without specifying what cuts to make, board members agreed on a special meeting Tuesday the 29th at 7pm in the Golding Library to discuss cuts.
In an earlier pre-vote newsletter, C-R wrote that to reach the 2.72-percent limit, "potential cuts would include:" two music teachers, a business teacher, an administrator, a library media specialist, a part-time technology position, and a full-time maintenance worker, along with modified sports and some varsity sports.
If the decision were up to Monday night's speakers, they'd keep the teachers.
"If you have to cut teachers, I will fight you through the papers and any which way possible," said resident Horst Fierek.
Other speakers pointed to cuts last year that eliminated many teachers.
With past cuts, said resident Caroline Gomez-DiCesare, C-R kids "are less competitive" when applying to colleges.
"It's not serving anyone for students to have more study halls," she added.
Even Bill Lape and Al Lory, who successfully campaigned against the earlier budget, argued in favor of teachers.
"The real issue is that people are sick of taxes," Mr. Lape said. "It's not specific to the school or the board or anything the school is doing. People just can't pay their taxes.
"I would hope, though, that you don't take teachers out and keep football."
Agreeing, Mr. Lory said that the board should cut "little things" and spare teachers.
But other speakers argued in favor of keeping as much as possible, especially sports and music.
"No matter what we cut, people will be unhappy," responded board member Liz Montario.
Several speakers noted that a public meeting is an uncomfortable forum for some speakers to be frank.
Superintendent Lynn Macan agreed, but added that anyone can meet with administrators or board members to speak privately.
And Ms. Macan made a pitch to get more public input about the upcoming cuts.
"There's no more important time to let us know what you're feeling," Ms. Macan said. "No voice is too small."