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Stillwater residents approve 2024-25 budget, elect three to the Board of Education

    On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, residents of the Stillwater Central School District approved the proposed $30,782,778 budget for the 2024-25 school year by a vote of 183 to 92, a 66.55% approval. The budget reflects a 2.65% increase in spending over the current-year budget and a 4.69% increase in the tax levy, which is within the district’s tax levy limit.

    “Thank you to everyone for taking the time to vote today,” said Superintendent of Schools Joseph Mariano, Jr. “The approved budget ensures we can continue to provide our students a high quality education that not only promotes success but establishes a robust foundation for future generations. We appreciate the community’s ongoing support and look forward to planning for the 2024-25 school year.”

    The budget sustains all educational programs for students, preserves current services, and includes the purchase of three new school buses. The approved budget also includes funding for salary increases for faculty and staff, as well as increased costs associated with health insurance and other employee benefits.

    The projected tax levy—the total amount of money a school district raises through property taxes—increases by 4.69% under the approved budget. 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 district residents. Final school tax rates are set in August when municipalities finalize their assessment rolls. Read more and view 2024-25 budget details.

    2024-25 Budget Documents

      Information on the 2023-24 school year budget

      Stillwater residents approved a proposed $29,988,245 budget for the 2023-24 school year by a vote of 416 to 164 on May 16, 2023. They also elected three to the Board of Education, approved the Stillwater Public Library budget and elected library trustees. Read the full article and view 2023-24 budget details.

      2023-24 Budget Documents

      Voting on Stillwater’s school budget

      On the third Tuesday of each May, residents from across New York State go to the polls to vote on the annual school district budget and to elect members of the Board of Education. Learn more about voting on Stillwater’s budget.

      Absentee Ballot Information

      Any qualified voter of the Stillwater Central School District may request an application for an absentee ballot by either:

      1. Printing and returning the application to the District Clerk.
      2. Email Renee Price at rprice@scsd.org.
        **Applications must be received by the District Clerk seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered in person. All absentee ballots must be returned to the District Clerk by 5PM the day of the vote (May 21, 2024).

      Early Mail Ballot Information:

      Any qualified voter of the Stillwater Central School District may request an application for an Early Mail Ballot by either:

      1. Printing and returning the application to the District Clerk.
      2. Email Renee Price at rprice@scsd.org.

      Voter Registration Date:

      Voter registration date will be held on April 30, 2024 from 9AM-2PM in the District Clerk’s Office at 1068 Hudson Avenue for any resident of the school district that meets the definition of a qualified voter but not yet registered to vote. After voter registration date, district residents may register at their county Board of Elections office.

      Qualifications to Register to Vote:

      • Must be a citizen of the United States;
      • Must be 18 years old by the date of the election;
      • Must be a resident of the Stillwater Central School District for at least 30 days preceding the election.

      School Budget 101

      In New York state, local school boards must annually develop a balanced school budget proposal and put it up for a public vote on the third Tuesday in May. Learn more about school budget development.

      Everything You Need to Know About School Budgets in 60 Seconds

      Required Information

      Audit Reports

      If you cannot access any of these documents or if there is a document you are looking for that is not listed, please contact the Business Office at (518) 373-6100, ext. 30023.