Budget and Taxes

BREAKING NEWS: On Tuesday, May 17, Middleburgh Central School District voters approved the district’s proposed $23,811,377 budget for the 2022-23 school year by a margin of 233-120; and elected Vicki Hoerz (244 votes) and Debra Bechtold (228 votes) to serve three year terms on the Board of Education. 71% of voters also approved a proposition to purchase three school buses.

Because the proposed tax levy increase of 0.5% or $50,270 is well below the district’s 2.31% tax levy increase allowed under the state’s property tax cap law, the district needed a simple majority vote (50% plus one vote) for budget approval. The budget proposal was approved by 66% of voters.

2022-23 School Budget Newsletter, click here

As part of the enacted state budget, there was an increase in state education aid for the 2022-23 school year. Foundation Aid, which is the primary source for general purpose operating aid, will be fully phased in over three years. Under the new funding formula, Middleburgh Central School District is expecting a Foundation Aid increase of three percent each year through 2024.

Bus Proposition on May 17 Ballot

Middleburgh residents will decide on a proposition for the anticipated purchase of three school buses in an amount not to exceed $328,541 as part of the district’s ongoing bus replacement plan. The 1-65 passenger, 1-48 passenger, and 1-30 passenger (wheelchair accessible) buses will be funded by $258,234 (78.60%) from State Aid and $70,307 (21.40%) from Local Share paid over a five-year period. The amount per year, per taxpayer is approximately five dollars. Safe, reliable transportation is a top priority for our district.

Board of Education Candidates on May 17 Ballot

There are two open seats on the Board of Education with three candidates running. The two candidates with the most votes will earn a three-year term (expiring June 30, 2025).

The BOE candidates names will appear in this order on the ballot:

Sean Lawton
Debra Bechtold
Vicki Hoerz

Absentee Ballots

Voters can cast an absentee ballot if out of town or unable to vote in person due to illness, disability, duties related to the primary care of ill or disabled individuals, being admitted to and a patient in the hospital, or the risk of transmission of COVID-19. You must complete this application to receive an absentee ballot.

Requests for absentee ballot applications must be received by the District Clerk by:

May 10, 2022 if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter.
May 16, 2022 if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter.

To request a hard copy of an application for an absentee ballot, contact Kim Lawyer, District Clerk at 518-827-3625.

Please view the voter information page of our website for a list of frequently asked questions about voting by absentee ballot.

Public Hearings and Meet the BOE Candidates Night

On Wednesday, May 4 at 6:00 p.m. The district conducted an open public hearing on the use of repair reserve funds and on the school budget proposal followed by a Meet the Board of Education candidates opportunity. There are three candidates running for two open seats. Sean Lawton, Debra Bechtold, and Vicki Hoerz were available to take questions and the community was encouraged to attend.