Message from Superintendent Mark Place | Budget Details | Additional Propositions | Board of Education Candidates |Capital Project
On Tuesday, May 20, Middleburgh Central School District residents will be asked to consider a $25,100,000 budget for the 2025-26 school year.
This proposed budget increases spending by 0.80%, or $200,000, from the current year and includes a tax levy increase of 1.5% or $156,144. Since the tax levy increase (the total amount of money to be raised through property taxes) is less than the district’s maximum allowable levy limit of 2.29%, the proposed budget needs a simple majority vote to be approved.
Message from the Superintendent
Middleburgh is a great place to live, work, and learn. We are proud to share that in the 2024-2025 school year, MCS has once again earned the highest rating in the NY State Education Department’s Accountability System – “In Good Standing.”
Middleburgh is a great place to live, work, and learn. We are proud to share that in the 2024-2025 school year, MCS has once again earned the highest rating in the NY State Education Department’s Accountability System – “In Good Standing.”
Our academic foundation has been strengthened with field-based learning. Over 50% of our juniors and seniors are enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs through BOCES. This year, we provided Pre-K-12 students with over 100 field trip experiences, helping them explore “The World Beyond Middleburgh.” A highlight was a trip to Washington, D.C., where students witnessed the presidential inauguration, deepening their understanding of civics and national history.
Our students and teams have earned scholar-athlete recognition by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. Three athletes earned recognition at the state level in wrestling and bowling.
We are grateful for the community’s support, which makes these opportunities possible. This year, we also expanded our regional collaboration with neighboring districts and strengthened partnerships with community groups to provide cost-effective ways to enhance learning opportunities.
The 2025-26 proposed MCS budget reflects a 0.80% increase in expenditures with a modest 1.5% proposed tax levy increase. This year, we will also ask voters to consider our Capital Project 2026, detailed in the newsletter insert. In addition, we are seeking approval to transfer funds to our Repair Reserve Fund, as part of our responsible fiscal strategy to minimize future impacts to the tax levy.
Thanks to the unwavering support of our community, MCS continues to thrive and grow. Please make your voice heard and vote on May 20.
Budget Details
State Aid
New York State Foundation Aid is the primary source of funding for the district’s general fund budget. As part of the state budget, there is an expected decrease of $107,212 in aid for the 2025-26 school year.
Fund Balance Use
Middleburgh is proposing to use $921,815 of fund balance to balance the budget. The fund balance utilizes end-of-year surplus from the general fund.
Capital Project
In addition to voting on the general budget, district residents will also vote on an $8.1 million dollar capital project that would utilize state grants and $2 million dollars from our Capital Reserve Fund to pay for over a dozen repairs and improvements to our facilities. If passed, the capital project would have no additional impact on our tax levy. See additional information on the capital project below.
| EXPENDITURES SUMMARY | ||||
| DESCRIPTION | 24-25 | 25-26 | CHANGE | CHANGE |
| SUPPORT | $2,476,258 | $2,597,098 | $120,840 | 4.88% |
| INSTRUCTION SUPPORT | $11,712,865 | $11,843,283 | $130,418 | 1.11% |
| PUPIL TRANSPORTATION | $1,445,758 | $1,473,821 | $28,063 | 1.94% |
| EMPLOYEE BENEFITS | $7,092,472 | $7,257,420 | $164,948 | 2.33% |
| DEBT SERVICE | $2,037,647 | $1,793,378 | $-244,269 | -11.99% |
| CAPITAL OUTLAY | $100,000 | $100,000 | $0 | 0.00% |
| INTERFUND TRANSFER TO FEDERAL FUND | $35,000 | $35,000 | $0 | 0.00% |
| TOTALS | $24,900,000 | $25,100,000 | $200,000 | 0.80% |
| REVENUES SUMMARY | ||||
| DESCRIPTION | 24-25 | 25-26 | CHANGE | CHANGE |
| STATE AID (INCLUDING BOCES) | $12,830,707 | $12,723,495 | $-107,212 | -0.84% |
| MEDICAID (FEDERAL AID) | $60,000 | $60,000 | $0 | 0.00% |
| TAX LEVY | $10,409,598 | $10,565,742 | $156,144 | 1.50% |
| PILOT (PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES) | $20,066 | $16,653 | $-3,413 | -17.01% |
| MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER REVENUES | $330,000 | $306,500 | $-23,500 | -7.12% |
| APPROPRIATED FUND BALANCE | $921,815 | $921,815 | $0 | 0.00% |
| APPROPRIATED RESERVE | $227,814 | $405,795 | $177,981 | 78.13% |
| INTERFUND TRANSFER FROM DEBT SERVICE FUND | $100,000 | $100,000 | 0 | 0.00% |
| TOTALS | $24,900,000 | $25,100,000 | $200,000 | 0.80% |
New York state law requires school districts to present their budgets divided into three expenditure categories–program, administrative and capital–and compare them to previous year’s costs. Middleburgh’s three-part budget breaks down as follows:
| THREE PART SUMMARY | 25-26 | 24-25 | CHANGE | CHANGE | % of Budget |
| ADMINISTRATIVE | $2,227,094 | $2,216,513 | $10,081 | 0.45% | 8.87% |
| CAPITAL | $4,091,467 | $4,194,319 | $-102,852 | -2.45% | 16.30% |
| PROGRAM | $18,781,439 | $18,489,168 | $292,771 | 1.58% | 74.83% |
| TOTALS | $25,100,000 | $24,900,000 | $200,000 | 0.80% | 100.00% |
Administrative includes the salaries and benefits of administrators, supervisors and administrative clerical staff, public information, printing, curriculum and staff development, school board costs, general insurance and professional fees.
Program includes salaries and benefits of all teachers and staff who deliver pupil services (guidance, health, library/media etc.), textbooks, equipment, co-curricular activities, athletics and transportation costs.
Capital includes salaries and benefits of maintenance and custodial staff, debt service on buildings and school bus purchases, utilities, tax certiorari and court-ordered costs.
Other propositions voters will consider
When Middleburgh residents go to the polls on May 20, they will vote on three propositions in addition to the 2025-26 proposed budget.
One proposition will be for the purchase of two, 65-passenger diesel buses with luggage compartments and one 30-passenger wheelchair-accessible bus, with a total not to exceed $484,000. New buses replace old buses based on the bus’s mileage, age, repair history, and condition and coincide with the district’s long-range bus replacement plan to keep the bus fleet in safe, working order. State aid would fund $368,324 (76.1%) of the total purchase cost.
A second proposition will ask voters to consider a transfer, not to exceed $600,000, to the Repair Reserve Fund to cover any one-time unanticipated repair expenditures for the upcoming year.
Residents will also vote on an $8.1 million dollar capital project that would utilize state grants and $2 million dollars from our Capital Reserve Fund to pay for over a dozen repairs and improvements to our facilities. If passed, the capital project would have no additional impact on our tax levy. See below for additional information.
Candidates for Board of Education
The Middleburgh school district is governed by five-members, each elected to serve three-year terms. Two seats are available for terms expiring June 30, 2028. Candidates appearing on the ballot are:
Vicki Hoerz
Basil Wesley Andrew
Additional information on the candidates is available here.
Additional information on the Middleburgh Board of Education is available here.
Preparing students for “The World Beyond Middleburgh.”
Students from pre-kindergarten through high school benefit from hands-on learning through engaging classroom activities, field trips, and after-school clubs and athletics. These experiences spark curiosity and deepen their understanding of “The World Beyond Middleburgh.” By offering these opportunities, MCS prepares students for the future – wherever their journey may take them.
Capital Project
Proposed capital project would fortify and improve facilities for current and future generations, preserve buildings as an essential community resource.
District-wide Repairs and Improvement
On Tuesday, May 21 district residents would vote on an $8.1 million capital project that would utilize state aid and $2 million from our Capital Reserve to pay for over a dozen repairs and improvements to our facilities. If passed, the capital project would have no additional impact on our tax levy.
Repairs and enhancements included in the capital project are focused on resolving current facility repair needs, preparing our infrastructure for future needs, improving safety for our students and staff, and supporting community services in our buildings. Through careful, long-term planning MCS is able to capitalize on state funding to support the local investment in our facilities in order to serve both our students and the community.
This capital project, not exceeding $8.1 million, would include all construction, site work, and incidental costs. Of that, $2 million would come from the district’s Capital Reserve Fund, and New York State Building Aid would cover approximately 75% ($6.1 million) of the cost. To keep the local share stable, the district would issue $6.1 million in bonds, which would replace retiring debt payments from a previous project.
Junior-Senior High School
The Junior-Senior High School would undergo critical facility upgrades to preserve its historic integrity while improving safety, efficiency and accessibility. The main entry columns would receive structural repairs to ensure their longevity. The overdue replacement of stage and attic windows with energy-efficient models would reduce energy costs. In the auditorium, updated lighting would modernize the space for both school and community events, while the restoration of a missing balcony seating section would expand access.
The building’s main roof would have gutter repairs to address drainage issues and deterioration of the Yankee gutter system. Additionally, an out-of-service bathroom in the cafeteria would be replaced with ADA-compliant facilities.
Elementary School
Planned renovations at the elementary school would focus on safety and accessibility. The gymnasium’s outdated bleachers, which have been unusable for years, would be replaced with a modern set featuring side rails and other enhancements.
Additionally, space would be expanded at the school-based health center. The new design would include the required wet and dry areas to ensure a safe environment. Bassett Healthcare services support student learning and participation in athletics with free well-care and some dental services.
The Maze Craze, built by volunteers in 1989, is a cherished part of Middleburgh history. Over 35 years later, modern safety requirements, including wheelchair accessibility, require us to consider the diverse needs of our students in different ways. We would gather community input and construct a new playground on the former Little League field— that would meet current codes and create joyful, barrier-free experiences for every child.
Learn more about the history of the beloved Maze Craze and planning for a new playground.
Bus Garage Repairs
To ensure the bus garage remains safe and efficient, several upgrades are proposed. Two bus lifts, which have already exceeded their life expectancy, would be replaced. A floor sealer would be applied to preserve the integrity of the floor. Additional drainage would be installed to prevent water intrusion, helping to protect both the structure and surrounding grounds. Conduit would be installed under the parking lot to prepare for state-mandated electric vehicle charging.
Capital Project Timeline
The capital project would be voted on May 20, 2025. If approved, architects would draft plans for the New York State Education Department (SED) review before the bidding process. Once the BOE awards bids, major construction would begin in June 2026.
Referendum Vote: May 2025
Architects Prepare Plans: May-October 2025
Plans Submitted to SED.: November 2025
District Receives SED. Approval: January 2026
District Bids Projects: February 2026
Bids Awarded by BOE: April-May 2026
Construction Begins – June 2026
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