On Tuesday, May 20, Salem CSD residents voted to approve the district’s proposed $17.23 million budget for the 2025-26 school year that carries an 8% tax levy increase and a decrease in spending of 3.69% compared to the current year.

The community voted to approve the Capital Project. This will allow the district to finance much-needed replacements of the Salem Washington Academy roofs.

The community also voted to approve the transportation proposal on the ballot. This will allow the district to lease one 65-passenger bus for a five year lease period at a cost that would not exceed $42,500 annually.

There was one seat on the board of education on the ballot. The community voted for Marissa Perkins to fill the seat. The term for the seat runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028. The seat is currently held by Peter Thomas.

• Proposition 1: Proposed 2025-26 Budget YES (466 votes/65.3%) to No (239 votes/33.5%)

• Proposition 2: Lease One School Bus YES (523 votes/ 74.3%) to No (181 votes/ 25.7%)

• Proposition 3: Proposed 2025-26 Bancroft Library Budget YES (534 votes/76%) to No (171 votes/ 24%)

• Proposition 4: Capital Project - Replace our roofs YES (491 votes/ 70%) to No (210 votes/ 30%)

• Proposition 5: One School Board Seats Marissa Perkins (485 votes), Peter Thomas (148 votes)

Last fall, the administrative team and Board of Education (BOE) partnered with School Finance Consultant Dr. Rick Timbs to assess the district’s fiscal health. His final report identified a significant budget gap requiring corrective action for long-term stability.

After reviewing four options, the BOE voted to pursue a proposed budget with an 8% tax levy increase. This plan best maintains student programs and improves financial health, while remaining fiscally responsible. Because it exceeds the state’s allowable levy limit, the proposal requires supermajority voter approval (60% +1).

The 8% increase would reduce the deficit from $2 million to $313,928, preserve the fund balance (savings), and slow reserve depletion. Looking ahead, the district will focus on long-term financial planning and maintaining a fund balance of at least 4% through 2029. To close the gap, the proposed budget includes reorganizing teaching assignments in the English, Math, and Science departments, classroom teachers taking over lower levels of Academic Intervention Services (AIS) and the reduction of a speech therapist, one clerical position, and the social worker role, in addition to the cuts that have been made during the current school year. For a full listing of the corrective steps the district has already taken and Dr. Timbs findings, please visit the “News” section of our website at www.salemcsd.org/news.

Also on the ballot is a $8.15 million Capital Project to repair aging school roofs. With state aid covering much of the cost, the board and district administration are asking voters to consider the capital project proposal to use capital reserve funds before they expire.

School budgets can be broken into three components, administrative, program, and capital.

Administrative = 10.2%

• This component includes expenses necessary to manage district affairs including building-level supervision, business office operations, school-to-home communications, the board of education, the superintendent, the district clerk and legal/auditing fees.

Program = 71.2%

• Program covers expenses related to educating students, including classroom instruction, services for students with special needs, library services, the nurse’s office, computer assisted instruction, guidance and counseling services, athletics and extracurricular activities and transportation

  • The decrease in program allocation is reflective of the changes needed to close the budget gap. This includes reorganizing teaching assignments in the English, Math, and Science departments, classroom teachers taking over lower levels of Academic Intervention Services (AIS) and the reduction of a speech therapist, one clerical position, and the social worker role.

Capital = 18.6%

This component includes all expenses necessary for the operation and maintenance of school facilities. It covers costs such as maintenance and custodial staff, utilities and debt payments for building projects.

Projections are based on last year's tax roll with additional projected assessments from the town assessor. Rate per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The 2025-26 proposed budget carries a tax levy of 8% to combated the rising cost of sustaining a school district and close the gap in the budget.

Each spring, the Salem Central School District Board of Education adopts a proposed budget for the upcoming school year, which requires voter approval. The budget will be discussed at the budget meetings listed below. A public hearing will be held on May 6, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the High School Auditorium, 41 East Broadway, Salem, NY.

Voters will be asked to elect one community member to the Board of Education. The seat is currently held by Peter Thomas. The term begins on July 1, 2025, and ends on June 30, 2028. The following candidates are running:

• Marissa Perkins

• Peter Thomas

Salem CSD is seeking authorization for the district to lease one 65-passenger bus for a five year lease period at a cost that would not exceed $42,500 annually. The bus runs on gas. Leasing buses has proven to be an effective and economical way to ensure that the district has the fleet to get students to and from school, to athletic events, and to field trips.

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. For more information about the proposition surrounding the 20252026 Bancroft Library Budget, visit their website at www.bancroftlibrary.org.

In the 2025-2026 school year, Salem will offer full day pre-kindergarten to students in the community. The program expansion is supported by grant funds available for universal pre-kindergarten programs. Currently, Pre-K students attend a five hour program.

“Research shows that additional school hours improve how students perform in assessments of vocabulary, literacy, and math. Full-day Pre-K will give our students more instruction time, allowing them to explore their interests and reach their full potential,” Damian Switzer, Salem Elementary School Interim Principal.

The Capital Project proposed on the ballot will finance much-needed replacements of our roofs. Since the main school building opened in 1938 and the primary school in 1955, the roofs have endured many decades of wear and tear. Substantial sections of our roofs have not been replaced since 1987, leading to leaks and disrupted learning. The district is proposing a capital project of $8,150,000 for roof replacements. By pursuing this as a capital project, state aid will cover 80.1% of the cost and minimize the impact on taxpayers. Salem is a district with a rich history, and updates to our aging school building help to preserve that legacy. The decision to bring this proposal to voters was reached after receiving the results of the roof inspections during our Building Conditions Survey this year. The safety and integrity of our facilities remain a top priority

The initial gap between revenues and expenses in the 2025-26 budget proposal was partially a result of a series of past school budgets with little to no increase in the tax levy. The rising costs of sustaining the school district combined with limited revenue from the tax levy were main factors considered in the proposed spending plan. If the proposed budget is defeated, the Board of Education has two options: hold another vote in June on the same or a revised budget, or adopt a contingency budget without a second vote. Either option will delay efforts to close the gap, put the district in a more precarious position, and require additional cuts to balance the budget. These cuts will directly impact student programs. Long-term planning is essential to restore f inancial stability. This budget represents the district’s effort to course-correct before more drastic changes become necessary.

• February 11: Budget Workshop in the High School Library at 6:00 pm Click here for Video

• March 4: Budget Workshop in the High School Library at 6:00 pm (postponed until 3/12/2025)

• March 12: Budget Workshop in the High School Library at 6:00 pm Click here for Video

• March 25: Budget Workshop in the High School Library at 6:00 pm (postponed until 3/31/2025)

• March 31: Special Meeting in the High School Library at 6:00(moved to Auditorium) Click here for Video

• March 31: Budget Workshop in the High School Library at 6:00 pm (moved to Auditorium) Click here for Video,

  Click here for Dr. Rick Timbs' Presentation

• April 8: Budget Workshop in the Auditorium at 6:00 pm Click here for Video, Click here for Presentation

• April 17: Budget Workshop in the Auditorium at 6:00 pm Click here for Video. Please note that there was some connectivity issues with our Owl System so at times it may be difficult to hear.

• April 21: Last day to submit candidate nomination petitions Click here for a Nominating Petition

• April 22: Monthly BOE Meeting Click here for Video.

• May 6: Budget Hearing Click here for Budget Video in the High School Auditorium at 6:00 pm, Capital Project Hearing Click here for Capital Project Video to be held immediately after Budget Public Hearing Presentation, Capital Project Public Hearing Presentation

• May 12: Last day for District Clerk to receive Early mail and Absentee Application if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter.

• May 19: Last day for District Clerk to receive Early Mail and Absentee Application if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.

• May 20: Annual Budget Vote and Election at 8:00 am - 8:00 pm in Room 418 in the High School, enter at the Circle entrance.

To be eligible to vote, residents must live in the school district for at least 30 days prior to the May 20 election, be at least 18 years of age and be a citizen of the United States. Voters may be asked to provide proof of residency.

This year we have one (1) Board of Education seat open. Peter Thomas' term will end on June 30, 2025. If you are interesting in running for the Board please contact the District Clerk, Regina Eastman, at 518-854-7855 or reastman@salemcsd.org for more information. This is a three (3) year term starting on July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028.

• NYSSBA Guide

• NYSSBA The School Board Member Experience

• Nominating Petition

Homeowners who meet certain eligibility requirements through the New York State School Tax Relief Program (STAR) can have a portion of their home’s assessed value exempt from school property taxes. Learn more about the STAR program here.

Who May Apply for an Early Mail Ballot
Any eligible voter may apply for an early mail ballot. Each person must apply for themselves.

How to Apply for an Early Mail Ballot
You may pick up an application at the District Office or click here for your Early Mail Ballot Application.

Deadlines for Early Mail Ballot
May 13, 2025 - Last day for District Clerk to receive application if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter.

May 19, 2025 - Last day for District Clerk to receive application if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.

Who May Apply for an Absentee Ballot

You may qualify to vote absentee for the following reasons:

• Temporary or permanent illness or physical disability

• Primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled

• Absence from school district on election day

• Resident or patient of a Hospital

• Detained in jail/prison, awaiting trial, awaiting action by a grand jury, or in prison for a conviction of a crime or offense which was not a felony.

How to Apply for an Absentee Ballot

You may pick up an application at the District Office or click here for your Absentee Ballot Application

Deadlines for Absentee Ballot

May 13, 2025 - Last day for District Clerk to receive application if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter.

May 19, 2025 - Last day for District Clerk to receive application if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.

Who May Apply for a Military Ballot

You may qualify to be a military voter if you are a qualified voter of New York State and one of the following reasons pertain to you:

• Is an actual military service and, by reason of that military service, is absent from the District on the day of the vote

• Is discharge from the military service within 30 days of the vote

• Is a spouse, parent, child, or dependent of the previously described voter, accompanying or being with that voter, if a qualified voter of New York State and a resident of the District.

Education Law makes special provisions for military voters. Military ballots need to be delivered to military voters at least 25 days before the day of the election.

Also, whereas early mail and absentee ballots must be received by the voter by mail or in-person, a military voter may receive their ballot application and ballot by mail, email, facsimile, or in-person. Military ballots must be received by the District clerk by mail or in person and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 18, 2024 (the day of the vote).