Tuesday’s budget votes and school board elections across all eight Sullivan County school districts sent a positive sign to educators, residents and administrators.

Following a state-wide trend were 99 percent of school budgets passed, Sullivan County scored a perfect 100 percent in approving school budgets and residents seemed agreeable to the other propositions on the ballot.

This should come as no surprise, as New York State’s 2 percent tax cap has helped keep our budgets in a manageable range for both taxpayers and school boards.

According to New York State School Boards Assn. Executive Director Robert Schneider, “State funding to help districts recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and a continued phase-in of the Foundation Aid formula were enormously helpful as schools cope with inflation and the ongoing consequences of the pandemic.”

And many school districts had larger than normal turnouts, which speaks volumes to people willing to take the time to make their voices heard.

While we are on the subject, we would also like to thank each and every school board member throughout Sullivan County, who dedicate so much of their time to help their community in this volunteer position.

Your hard work and passion for helping our youth gain a better education is such trying times is not just admirable – but heroic. We know that your positions are very important to the proper functioning of our schools – which is never more important than now.

And to all the candidates who put their names on the ballot, all we can say is “Thank You!”

Whether you were elected or not, your willingness to run for office was very much appreciated and we hope each and every one of you continue to help your district improve its educational offerings.