Wednesday News Brief
Written by Dan Fischer on May 20, 2025
Voters in Oakfield Say No to School Budget
The Oakfield-Alabama Central School District’s proposed 2025–2026 budget has been rejected by voters. The $25.5 million spending plan, which represented a 2.13% increase over the current budget, failed to pass with 171 yes votes and 198 no votes. Because the budget proposed a 2.5% tax levy increase—exceeding the state tax cap—it required a 60% supermajority to pass.
If approved, the budget would have funded enhancements across the district, including three new school buses, expanded support for special education, substitute teaching, athletics, mental health counseling, and facility maintenance. A $5.33 million capital component, not related to the current Capital Project, was designated for day-to-day building operations, custodial salaries, utilities, and transportation.
Instead, the district must now consider putting the budget before voters a second time in June or adopt a contingency budget.
Meanwhile, voters elected Kevin Beuler and incumbent Justin Staebell to the Board of Education, both receiving 319 votes. Each will serve a three-year term beginning July 1.
Civil War Roundtable in Pavilion Today
The Genesee Valley Civil War Roundtable will hold its next meeting today, Wednesday, May 21st, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pavilion United Methodist Church, located at the corner of Routes 63 and 19 in Pavilion. This month’s guest speaker, Ellen Frank, will present on the Lincoln Museum. The event is free and open to the public. History buffs and anyone interested in Civil War topics are encouraged to attend.
Hero Banners in Batavia
If you’ve driven down Park Road in Batavia lately, you may have noticed new banners proudly lining the street—each one honoring a local Hometown Hero.
Today, the City of Batavia welcomed friends and families of those heroes for a special moment of reflection and pride. The banners are part of the Hometown Hero Banner Program, a heartfelt initiative recognizing past and present members of the Armed Forces from our community.
The banners will stay up through Labor Day and return each year as a lasting tribute.
To honor a hero in your life, contact Jess Best at 585-345-6375 or email jbest@batavianewyork.com.
New Smart Electric Meters Coming to Select Genesee County Communities
National Grid is set to begin installing new smart electric meters this July for customers in Bergen, LeRoy, and Pavilion in Genesee County.
The upgrade is part of a statewide initiative replacing aging AMR meters that have been in use for more than 25 years. Customers will begin receiving notices about the change, including alerts 30 days, 10 days, and the day of installation.
So far, National Grid has installed over 800,000 smart meters in the Syracuse and Albany regions, and now it’s expanding to Western New York.
The new meters will offer several benefits, including real-time tracking of energy usage, personalized energy-saving tips, and, by the end of 2025, the ability to monitor consumption by specific appliances. Customers will also be able to integrate smart thermostats and other devices.
From National Grid’s end, the meters will improve service by allowing crews to detect and respond to outages faster, without waiting for customer reports.
The upgrades come at no cost to customers.
Fundraiser to Benefit Down Syndrome Parents
Mark your calendars today, Wednesday, May 21st! From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Batavia’s Original Pizzeria on East Main Street is hosting a Dine-Out Fundraiser to benefit the Down Syndrome Parent Support Group of Genesee County. Whether you dine in or take out, a portion of the day’s proceeds will support local families. Come out, enjoy a great meal, and show your support for a great cause!
Elba Voters Vote Yes
Elba Central School District voters have approved all three propositions on the 2025-26 budget ballot. The $12.1 million budget passed with 94 votes in favor and 17 against.
Voters also approved the establishment of a 2025 Capital Outlay Reserve Fund, with 90 yes votes and 21 no votes.
In addition, authorization to use funds from the Capital Bus and Vehicle Replacement Fund to purchase a new 28-passenger school bus passed by a vote of 98 to 13.
Michael Riner was elected to a five-year term on the Board of Education.
Sports Scores
Here are Tuesday’s high school baseball scores from Genesee County:
Notre Dame-Batavia defeated School of the Arts 7–4.
Pembroke rolled past Elba 13–3.
Byron-Bergen edged out Attica in a close one, 8–7.
Pavilion/York came from behind to beat Avon, 8–7.
And Oakfield-Alabama picked up a win over Northstar Christian, 4–3.
Here are Tuesday’s high school softball scores from Genesee County:
Le Roy dominated Wilson/Early College, 20–3.
Batavia topped Alexander, 9–4.
Geneseo beat Pavilion, 7–4.
Notre Dame-Batavia cruised past Kendall, 19–7.
Attica edged Byron-Bergen, 4–2.
And Pembroke took down Holley, 5–1.
