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Utica taxpayers vote for 2013- 2014 school budget

Many taxpayers across New York State are voting on their respective school district's budget and board of education today.

The biggest budget being voted on in our area is that of the Utica City School District. Utica's Superintendent Bruce Karam says it's been a unique process for the 2013- 2014 outlook.

On top of the regular issues faced by the district, like state aid funding, Mr. Karam tells me they had other factors that affected the upcoming budget.

And that would be the federal spending cuts known as sequestration as well as a charter school forming in the school district.

"Whatever is passed should be the benefit of the children," said May Wallins of Utica.

Like Wallins, taxpayers are voting yes or no for the school district's budget proposal today. The UCSD is looking to have a $138 million budget passed that includes 81 positions cut,  49 of them being teachers.

"It was a way for us- the only way to balance the budget and by law we need a balanced budget," said Superintendent Karam.

The good news this year the school district has cut down on spending compared to last year. But, a growing problem, Mr. Karam says is money coming into the district.

"We have three things going on. Three major things," explained Karam.

And that is the continuing problem of the lack of state aid funding.

Second, with federal spending cuts- the district is losing about $700,000 in federal dollars. And third, the newly formed charter school will be taking away revenue, basically a competition school.

"When the student goes to the charter schools the state aid money that would come to us for the students will go with the students to the charter schools," said Mr. Karam. And as a result the school district is losing about $1.8 million in state dollars.

"I think the charter school will be a real challenge for the school district. I think it won't go away," said Utica resident, Christine Reister.

And the competition may continue to be a problem. Mr. Karam says another charter school is expected to put in an application for the following school year.

Polls for Utica taxpayers close at 9 p.m.

Taxpayers of Herkimer School District will decide if area library will change funding structure

As taxpayers of the Herkimer School District vote on the school's budget, they'll also decide whether or not an area library will change its funding structure.

Basloe Library is asking residents to approve them to become a library district, meaning the taxpayers will vote on the library's budget and its board of trustees.

In return, it will provide more funding for the library.

"We're looking to get $270,000 out of this vote. That will restore our funding to where it was five years ago. This is what it's about- to restore our funding," said Library Director, Lesley Paul.

The library is currently funded by the Village of Herkimer. Over the years, officials say the village had to cut contributions to the library. By becoming a library district, funding will be coming from the taxpayers within in the school district.

Day 2: Young victim takes stand in Mark Scheidelman trial

It's day two of the Mark Scheidelman trial. He's the Trenton Town Supervisor accused of sexually abusing a ten-year-old boy.

The ten-year-old victim took the stand today as did his 13-year-old brother who claims he saw Scheidelman inappropriately touching the younger boy.

The incident reportedly happened last year on veteran's day weekend at the victim's uncle's house where Scheidelman also lived.

It was an unplanned weekend at their uncle's house. The victim and his brothers wanted to spend time with their cousin. Although the kids didn't have a change of clothes the mom let them go anyway.

The ten-year-old victim checked in with his mom. "He let me know that they were there and that everyone was safe," said the victim's mother.

That was Saturday night. It was the car ride home on Monday when the victim's mother became concerned.

She says the child was upset, but didn't want to talk about it. The next day the boy spoke up and what came out of his mouth made his mom go to the police.

The ten-year-old boy took the stand today- he told the jury Scheidelman went under his clothing and touched his bare genitals.

He says he was sleeping next to Scheidelman. Defense attorney, George Aney questioned the child asking why he told police and the grand jury in his initial statement that mark touched him over his clothing.

The ten year old boy said he was embarrassed.

Investigator Todd Grant of the New York State Police assigned to the Child Advocacy Center also took the stand.

He told the jury that in different crimes police can get all the information at once, but with children and sex abuse crimes it can be different.

"A lot of time with children they are so shy and embarrassed about what happened to them that they give a little bit of information to start," said Grant.

A recorded conversation between investigator grant and Scheidelman was also played for the jury Wednesday afternoon.

The prosecution rested and tomorrow the jury is expected to hear from Scheidelman as he is expected to take the stand Thursday morning.

Jury will resume deliberation Friday morning in the Mark Scheidelman trial

The fate of the Trenton Town Supervisor is in the hands of an Oneida County jury.

Mark Scheidelman who has held the elected position for over twenty years is accused of sexually abusing a young boy last year.

On Thursday, the jury heard from Scheidelman as he took the stand. Closing arguments were also made by the prosecution and defense.

Mr. Scheidelman says he never inappropriately touched the young boy.

Although the victim claims the crime happened in Scheidelman's bed, Scheidelman says the boy never slept next to him.

"I didn't feel comfortable sleeping with these three boys in my bed. I didn't have a problem with them sleeping in the room," said Scheidelman.

The 10-year-old victim and his brothers were at their cousin's house last year on Veteran's Day weekend. Scheidelman lived in that same house.

Although, Scheidelman says the boys did sleep in his room, he says the victim never slept in his bed.

As the prosecution and defense made their closing arguments today, defense attorney George Aney says the victim's mother has influenced these allegations saying she has an ulterior motive.

"I get the impression that Shannon is the one who learned about this and Shannon is the driving force in this entire prosecution," said Aney.

On the other hand,  the prosecution says Scheidelman inappropriately touched the victim for sexual gratification.

Prosecutor Dawn Lupi says the children had no motivation to lie.

"What is there to gain? What? Well let's see. They made a trip up to the police station in Remsen, they got a trip to the Child Advocacy Center, they were questioned by complete strangers about sex," explained Lupi.

The jury resumes deliberation Friday morning at 9 a.m.

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