Capital Region voters overwhelming were in support of their school budgets, with Tuesday’s vote. This year’s budget is the first under a new property tax cap.

The Bethlehem and Ballston Spa districts both had a majority of at least 60 percent, and in Bethlehem voting booths saw a record turnout of more than 6,000 voters.

Green Island voters also approved the school budget; one that carried the largest tax increase in the Capital Region, at 12.5%. Despite the increase, the district was still within the state cap because the Green Island Power Authority was unable to make a payment in lieu of taxes.

This is the first year that school districts are under the state property tax mandate, unless they can get 60 percent of voters to pass the budget. The cap is described as 2 percent, but varies depending on district, building programs and the loss or gain of payments in lieu of taxes.

The average spending increase for school districts across the state is 1.5 percent.

Additionally, schools will lose about 475 jobs in education next year, on top of 1,200 local education jobs, according to an analysis from the Times Union.

Shenendehowa, Niskayuna, Guilderland, Saratoga Springs, Averill Park, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk, South Colonie and North Colonie budgets also passed.

Many propositions also passed such as ideas to buy school buses and renovate or sell schools.

What do you think of the tax cap under Governor Cuomo? Did you vote to pass the school budgets? Are you nervous about the likelihood of education jobs being cut next year?