Canajoharie Central School District residents will vote Tuesday, May 20, on a proposed $26,060,135 spending plan for the 2025-26 school year. The proposed plan calls for a 2.58% spending increase over the current year’s budget.
If approved, the budget would increase the tax levy by 1.53%, which does not exceed the state mandated tax cap. Over the past four years, the district has averaged a 1.78% annual tax levy increase. Since the proposed tax levy increase falls below the district’s legal limit as defined by the state’s tax cap legislation, a simple majority (50% plus one) is needed to approve the budget.
For the 2025-26 school budget, the goals were to maintain student programming, keep jobs and not exceed the tax cap. With this budget proposal, we are able to attain all of those goals. It should be noted that this is a status quo budget.
“After next school year, without additional aid, volatility at the federal level and ensuring our tax increases are at a minimum, we will have to look at cost savings measures in the very near future as expenses are outweighing the revenues,” said Superintendent Dr. Nick Fitzgerald.
Vote
Tuesday, May 20
Noon to 8 p.m.
East Hill Elementary School Library
Budget at-a-glance
Total budget: $26,060,135
Increase from 2024-25: 2.58%
Tax levy increase: 1.53% tax levy increase
Also on the ballot
Board of education election
One person to fill an open seat for a five-year term running July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2030.Incumbent Dr. Mark Brody
Capital Project
Allow the district to expend $12.4M for a Carbon Reduction/Geothermal Project at the EH/MS Complex. Project has zero net effect on reserves and taxpayers due to a $1.4M grant from NYSERDA.
See more details on the project here.Equipment Reserve Usage
Allow the district to purchase facilities equipment, technology and classroom furniture through the previously established Equipment Reserve fund for a cost not to exceed $170,000.Establishment of Equipment Reserve
Allow the district to reestablish an equipment reserve fund for facilities equipment, technology, vehicles and classroom equipment for a cost not to exceed $500,000.Bus Lease Proposition
Allow the district to lease two 70-passenger buses at a cost of $64,000.
Voter Eligibility
To vote, an individual must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and a resident of the district for at least 30 days prior to the vote.
Absentee and Early Mail Ballots
For an absentee or early mail ballot, residents must fill out an application. Call 518-673-6302 to obtain an application. To have a ballot mailed, the application must be received by 5 p.m. May 13. To pick up a ballot in person, the application must be received by 5 p.m. on May 19. All ballots are due by 5 p.m. on May 20.