Schuylerville Central School District residents passed a $39.4 million budget for the 2024-25 school year by a vote of 671 to 295 on Tuesday, May 21, a margin of 69%. The approved budget carries a 2.62% spending decrease and an estimated tax levy increase of 2.51%. Tax rates for individual properties will be determined over the summer once equalization rates and assessments are available for the district’s seven towns.
“On behalf of the Board of Education and administration, we are appreciative of the public supporting the district’s 2024-25 budget, despite the reductions in staff and difficult fiscal circumstances,” said Acting Superintendent James Ducharme. “The passage of this proposed budget maintains a comprehensive academic and student support program at the elementary and middle school, and still provides challenging and diverse opportunities for students in the high school. Each year, it is our goal to present taxpayers with a fair and balanced budget, even when faced with increases to operational costs and future uncertainties with state aid. The passage of this budget preserves the high-quality education and opportunities for all K-12 students that Schuylerville CSD is known for and we are grateful to our community for their support.”
“The Board of Education is grateful for our community’s support of the district’s 2024-25 budget, especially in light of the difficult decisions we faced throughout the budget development process,” said Board of Education President Michael Bodnar. “We especially appreciate the community members who took the time to attend board meetings and the budget hearing, and those who sought information from the district. This budget will allow Schuylerville CSD to continue to provide an excellent education and extensive opportunities for all of our students.”
Board of Education Election
Voters elected two members to the Schuylerville CSD Board of Education for two, five-year terms beginning July 1, 2024. The seats will be held by Jennifer Moreau who received 733 votes, and Robert Thivierge who received 649 votes.
Schuylerville Public Library
In the Schuylerville Public Library Board of Trustees election, voters elected three candidates: Katie Brunson (675 votes), Patricia Partello (519 votes), and Dennis Kagel (501 votes). They will each fill a three-year term ending in 2027. In addition, the Schuylerville Public Library’s budget appropriation proposition passed 757 to 206, increasing the annual budget appropriation by $12,000 to a total of $377,000. The library expenditures are not part of the district’s operating budget.