On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, residents of the Stillwater Central School District will vote on a proposed $31,707,356 budget for the 2025-26 school year. This strategic spending plan reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to student success while maintaining fiscal responsibility to the community. In addition to the budget vote, residents will elect three members to the Board of Education, decide on a proposition for the Stillwater Public Library and appoint new library trustees. Voting will take place from 12 to 9 p.m. in the Stillwater Middle-High School auditorium.
The proposed budget maintains all educational programs for students, preserves current services and includes the purchase of four new diesel school buses. Overall spending would increase by 3.00% or $924,578 over the current-year budget. Salary raises for faculty and staff, rising costs for health insurance and other employee benefits, and higher prices for utilities, diesel, gasoline and fuel oil contribute to the increase. During the budget development process, these factors were considered while strategically including high-priority items such as the elementary STEAM program, BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) and an agricultural science teacher position.
“Navigating an uncertain economic landscape, the proposed 2025-26 budget ensures fiscal responsibility while maximizing opportunities for student success,” Superintendent Joseph Mariano, Jr. said. “Moreover, this spending plan meets the district’s key objectives within its financial limitations, prioritizing safe learning environments, high-quality educational experiences for our students and innovative professional development opportunities for staff.”
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 4.87%. This increase is below Stillwater’s maximum allowable tax levy increase of 4.88% 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 rise by approximately 2.31% for residents. Final school tax rates are set in August when municipalities finalize their assessment rolls.
In addition to the May 20 budget vote, Stillwater residents will elect three members to the Board of Education, each to serve a three-year term from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. The candidates are Robert McCoy, Tara Gutman, John Hoogeveen and Aimee Salecker. Voters will also decide on a proposed $413,782 budget for the Stillwater Public Library and elect three trustees to serve three-year terms running the same period.
Community participation plays an important role in maintaining strong schools and enriching learning experiences for all students. Eligible residents are encouraged to take part in the May 20 vote to help shape the future of education in Stillwater. Voting will be held from 12 to 9 p.m. in the Stillwater Middle-High School auditorium. Learn more on the “Budget and Finance” webpage.