On April 16, 2024, the Stillwater Central School District Board of Education adopted a proposed $30,782,778 budget for the 2024-25 school year. The spending plan reflects the district’s commitment to promoting the success of its students while maintaining fiscal responsibility to the Stillwater community. District residents will head to the polls on Tuesday, May 21 to vote on the proposed budget, candidates to fill three vacancies on the Board of Education, and the establishment of a capital reserve. Residents will also vote on a budget and trustees for the Stillwater Public Library.

The spending plan sustains all educational programs for students, preserves current services, and includes the purchase of three new school buses. In addition, the proposed budget includes funding for salary increases for faculty and staff, as well as increased costs associated with health insurance and other employee benefits. Spending under the proposal would increase by 2.65% or $794,533 over the current-year budget. The increase in spending is being driven by rising costs in a variety of areas, including increases in utilities, diesel, gasoline and fuel oil.

If voters approve the proposed budget, the projected tax levy—the total amount of money a school district raises through property taxes—would rise by 4.69%. This increase is below Stillwater’s maximum allowable tax levy increase of 6.40% as determined by the state’s tax levy “cap” formula.

District officials surmise that school tax rates, which are the amount of taxes residents pay per $1,000 of assessed property value, will increase by approximately 2.14% for residents in the District. Final school tax rates are set in August when municipalities finalize their assessment rolls.

This year’s budget vote will take place on Tuesday, May 21, from 12-9 p.m. in the MS/HS Auditorium. For detailed budget information —including information on early voting and absentee ballots—please visit the “Budget and Finance” page on our website.