ALBANY, N.Y. May 17, 2023 – New York voters delivered a strong vote of confidence in their public schools, with 99 percent of school district budgets projected to pass in Tuesday’s voting, according to preliminary results compiled today by New York State United Teachers.
NYSUT’s initial analysis shows voters approved budgets in 591 school districts and defeated just ten. Thirteen of the 16 districts seeking to override the tax cap succeeded. Districts with defeated budgets can opt for a re-vote on June 20.
Local unions endorsed 360 candidates in board elections. Eighty five percent of these candidates were elected to local boards of education across the state, including 75 NYSUT members.
“New Yorkers again showed that they believe public schools unite our communities. Voters came out to support investing in our children and educators,” said NYSUT President Melinda J. Person. “They also supported school board candidates committed to bringing people together through strong and well-run public schools, not those who stoke division. When local voters prioritize supporting public schools, everybody wins.”
New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with nearly 700,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.