SULLIVAN COUNTY -- It's school budget season once again, with this year's votes being done through absentee ballots (that are due back by June 9) because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's what you need to know about the following districts' budgets. Part II will run in Friday's Democrat, recapping the remaining budgets.

tri-valley

The Tri-Valley Central School District's proposed 20-21 budget is $34,870,077, which is a zero percent increase from last year's budget.

According to the district, there is a zero percent increase in the tax levy next year.

Tri-Valley Superintendent of Schools Michael Williams said the pandemic hasn't had a great effect on the budget up to now, other than some costs they have incurred with meal delivery and extensive cleaning and disinfecting.

Reflecting on the proposed budget, Williams said, “The Tri-Valley community has been very supportive during this closure and we have taken great pains to see that next year's school budget is fair and reasonable. The true challenges of our budget will be in the next school year as the Governor decides how drastic a reduction in state aid schools will see.

“Also, we are still awaiting our final state aid payment for this school year,” Williams continued. “So, we are collectively ‘holding our breaths' to see what those numbers look like. As always, we will continue to prioritize our expenditures and focus on student instruction, health, welfare and safety.”

There are three seats up for election on the district's board of education. Four candidates are vying for those seats. They are Patrick Kelly (incumbent), Randy Macgregor (incumbent), Keith Stryker and George Dean.

Port Jervis

The budget proposed for next year is $75,430,132. This budget is an increase of $269,216 or 0.36 percent over the current budget. The tax levy increase associated with this budget is 1.39 percent after making a fund balance allocation of $1,672,800.

This year's budget proposal will be considered by the public through an absentee ballot that will be mailed to all nearly 10,000 registered voters in the district with a prepaid return envelope.

There are elections for the Board of Education and the top three win seats.

Those running are Judith Amato, Heather Beebe, Travis Conklin, Joan McBride, William Onofry, Florence Santini, and Earl Walker.

The polls will not be opened as they traditionally are because of the current restrictions put in place by an executive order. The absentee ballots are due back to the district clerk by 5 p.m. on June 9.

You will be able to drop it off to the district office as well as return it in the mail because it has to be physically returned to the district clerk by the deadline to be counted. Call the Port Jervis School District Offices with any questions, 845-858-3100 ext. 15531.

Sullivan West

The 2020-2021 proposed budget is $39,832,785 and includes a 1.98 percent tax levy increase, which is the lowest in Sullivan West in the past three years. It also includes the reduction of seven full-time staff positions, while still allowing for the growth of instructional programs for students.

“Our proposed budget aligns with our vision for creating an outstanding educational experience for the children of our community by adding to the elective course opportunities at the High School, increasing our technology infrastructure, creating a new structure for our 7th and 8th Grade students, and providing for ongoing, high quality professional development for our faculty and staff,” said Superintendent Stephen Walker.

The budget also includes the use of reserve funds to provide for the removal and replacement of the floor in the Elementary School's 1994 Gym, which is necessary due to health and safety concerns associated with the current rubber flooring system. The State Education Department requires voter approval before removal and replacement of the gym floor can move forward.

There are three seats on the Board of Education that are available, and all three seats are uncontested. The candidates are Kathleen Meckle, Jennifer Nystrom, and Trevor Peachey.

The School District's budget vote will take place on Tuesday, June 9, via absentee ballot. Please check your mail and the District's Facebook page, as well as the District's website at www.swcsd.org for more information on the budget, and the voting process for this year.

Monticello

Monticello residents will vote on a $90,870,000 proposed school budget for the 2020-2021 school year and elect three members to the Board of Education. The proposed budget, which includes a 1.89 percent increase in the tax levy is at the district's tax levy limit of 1.89 percent and is a decrease of $357,073 from the 2019-20 approved budget.

Due to possible cuts in state aid because of the coronavirus pandemic, the school is responding to that possibility. By taking measures such as delaying the purchase of equipment, not replacing positions lost to retirement or resignation and reducing interfund transfers, the district was able to cut $892,714 from its projected rollover budget. If the proposed budget is approved by voters, it will maintain all existing school programs.

Three candidates are running uncontested for three vacant seats on the Board of Education, they are Wendy Galligan-Weiner, Helen Jersey, and Adrianna Mason Greco.

In accordance with the governor's executive order, the vote will be held exclusively by absentee ballot. The district will mail absentee ballots to all qualified voters, and the district clerk must receive all completed ballots by 5 p.m. on June 9.