On Tuesday, May 19, Salem Central School District residents voted to approve the district’s proposed $17.87 million budget for the 2026-27 school year that carries a 2.65% tax levy increase and a 3.69% increase in spending compared to the current school year.
The proposed $17.87 million budget will allow the district to maintain all current programs and staffing levels while leveraging state aid opportunities to make targeted investments. These include adding a second Pre-K classroom, accommodating all Salem students who request enrollment in Career and Technical Education (CTE) skilled trades programs, and increasing capacity to support students with special needs.
“We are grateful to the Salem community for their continued support of our school district,” said Superintendent Julie Collier. “The approval of the budget will build on the steps taken last year to strengthen the district's financial position and make meaningful progress toward our long-term financial goals. The key expansions included in this budget were made possible through opportunities we identified to secure additional state aid and grants, helping to reduce the financial burden on local taxpayers.”
The community also voted to approve the transportation proposal on the ballot. This will allow the district to purchase three gas 65-passenger buses at a cost not to exceed $575,000 using serial bonds. The bus purchases would replace two buses coming off of lease and add one additional gas bus to the fleet. The district receives state aid for buses at 88.6% of the approved costs, reducing the total cost to the district to approximately $21,000 annually.
The community voted to approve the Proposed 2026-27 Bancroft Library Budget. Association libraries may present their budget on school district ballots to conserve resources. The Library Budget vote is separate from the school budget vote, but encompasses the same voters.
There were two seats on the board of education on the ballot this year. The seats currently held by Anne Dunigan and Thomas Clary were up for election. For Anne Dunigan’s seat, the candidates were Anne Dunigan and Mike Mugits. The community voted for Mike Mugits to fill the seat. For Thomas Clary’s seat, the candidates were Thomas Clary and Margo Hatzel. The community voted for Thomas Clary to fill the seat. The terms for both seats will run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.
Vote totals will be recounted before being certified at the Special Board of Education meeting on May 20th at 6 p.m.
Proposition 1: Proposed 2025-26 Budget YES (421 votes/69.47%) to No (185 votes/30.53%)
The $17.87 million budget for the 2026–27 school year preserves all programs and staff positions while continuing the district’s efforts to strengthen its long-term financial stability. Building on progress made last year, the budget also leverages state aid opportunities to support targeted investments.
Proposition 2: Purchase Three Gas School Bus YES (440 votes/72.61%) to No (166 votes/27.39%)
Purchase three 65-passenger gas buses at a cost not to exceed $575,000 using serial bonds.
Proposition 3: Proposed 2026-27 Bancroft Library Budget YES (483 votes/79.97%) to No (121 votes/20.03%)
Association libraries may present their budget on school district ballots to conserve resources. The Library Budget vote is separate from the school budget vote, but encompasses the same voters. Please contact the library for more information about the proposition.
Board Of Education Candidates: Two School Board Seats: Mike Mugits (435 votes) to Anne Dunigan (163 votes), and Thomas Clary (427 votes) to Margo Hatzel (149 votes)
The term for the seats begins on July 1, 2026, and ends on June 30, 2029.
Seat One: Thomas Clary and Margo Hatzel ran for the seat currently held by Thomas Clary
Winner: Thomas Clary
Seat Two: Anne Dunigan and Mike Mugits ran for the seat currently held by Anne Dunigan
Winner: Mike Mugits