On May 17, hundreds of J-D community members arrived at the high school to vote for the school budget for 2022-2023. They also voted for the upcoming school year’s Board of Education members. Sharon Archer, Renee James-Murad, and Lorianne DeForest ran for reelection, along with newcomer Stanley Chen. There were three spots open on the Board, and following the election, Archer, DeForest, and James-Murad were reelected.
Along with the Board members for next year, the election decided on a district budget of $63.7 million for next year. This is a $3.5 million increase in spending from 2021-2022. This decision comes with a 2.59% tax increase in the J-D District. Voters also approved the purchase of five new school buses and a maintenance vehicle, as well as a $1.5 million donation from the District to the Community Library of DeWitt and Jamesville.
In a statement to the RamPage, Board President Lorianne DeForest said on behalf of the Board, “We would like to thank the Jamesville-DeWitt community for re-electing us to serve on the Board of Education for another three years. We are all very excited to be able to continue the work of the District Strategic Plan focusing on a Culture of Wellness; Curriculum and Programs; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Community and Family Engagement. We will continue to advocate for all stakeholders and will support and promote the success of all students.”