Many voters don't realize but the 2.5% cap doesn't apply towards pension and retiree funding requirements. There is no cap on these items. Yes, the budget didn't pass but all of the items I just mentioned will continue to get the increases necessary to meet state mandated and contractual funding requirements. These are the biggest drivers of the increased cost of our education system. Everyone else will suffer but these Holy Grail items will continue to increase year over year, especially with more teachers retiring.

Who do I call to demand a re-vote? Isn't this margin the definition of "too close to call"?

FINALLY...people are wising up. I actually got home late and couldn't vote yesterday but I vote the budget down every time. Find a way to make due with what we currently pay. My property taxes are a FORTUNE and keep going up every year!

Bloomberg Businessweek recently ranked Cornwall as the number one best small town in which to raise children in New York State (http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/2012-12-17/the-best-places-to-raise-kids-2013#slide33).

But would a family considering a move buy a home today in this community, where middle schoolers will have no sports, high school students will have nothing to do after school with no theater program, orchestra, or singing ensembles? Hasn't this vote just killed the goose that laid the golden egg?

It's clear that the Cornwall school system will need to live within the cap and if they have a problem with that, voice their concerns to Albany. Passing on continual budget shortfalls to the community isn't a sustainable in the long-term and will drive residents from Cornwall so the key will be to manage to the allocated budget. We do this in the corporate sector ever year.

this is supposed to be about education. Looks like we should educate the members of the Board of Education. Seems like they don't know the meaning of the word "NO".

I agree with B. Holiday. Those who are impacted by the sequestration and salary freeze in the military, combined with layoffs in other industries, many can no longer support these property tax increases. Forget about staying at the cap increase. How about a flat or reduction as is done in other industries when budgets are not approved. What a concept.

Here's another aspect to consider: The town board is soon to make a decision whether to allow a zoning change to the Cornwall Commons development which would lift the restriction of a Planned Adult Community model and open it up to include families with children. Just think what the influx of 400 or so additional students will do to further tax our public school infrastructure. You think classes are too big now? Just wait! Now is the time to make your voice heard to oppose this reckless notion of perpetual growth which should have died in the 1970s. The board needs to stick to its guns and not allow this zoning change.

Joe, actually the board of Ed knows the meaning of no. It's the state that doesn't realize that 59.9% of our town tried to say yes! They don't know democratic the meaning of yes.

If the B of E knows the meaning of "no" then why have we had repeated "votes" in the past until a "yes" was achieved? If 60% was required, and not reached then the result was no. What's so hard to understand?