Budget & Capital Proposition Pass; 
Xavier Palacios & Kelly Donovan Re-Elected

After a long process stretching over several months, the votes have finally been tabulated. Huntington UFSD residents overwhelmingly approved the proposed budget and separate capital reserve fund proposition and re-elected incumbent trustees Xavier Palacios and Kelly Donovan during 15 hours of voting at Huntington High School on Tuesday.

The $146,347,091 spending plan for the 2023/24 school year passed, 1,184-192. A proposition seeking the release of $5.935 million from the Building Improvement Fund for various renovation and repair projects also sailed through, 1,201-159.

School Board Race Results

In the race for two seats on the Huntington School Board, voters re-elected Mr. Palacios (963 votes) and Mrs. Donovan (875 votes). Challenger Amaru Jones trailed with 651 votes.

The new terms of the winning candidates commence on July 1 and run through June 30, 2026. About 1,400 residents voted on Tuesday. Absentee ballots totaled 64. There are about 24,000 registered voters in the district.

The budget approved by voters carries an estimated tax rate increase of 0.69 percent. Trustees will set the tax levy in the fall when final property assessment figures are available. The current property tax levy of $112,718,438 will increase to $113,711,800.

Tuesday’s vote culminated a budget process that saw the district striving to keep a lid on expenditures. Spending will rise 2.36 percent, due in large part to inflation and non-discretionary cost increases.

The district anticipates receiving an increase of $3,636,987 in state aid. It plans to utilize $925,320 in reserve fund monies to help hold down taxes.