SULLIVAN COUNTY — On Tuesday, May 21, all eight school districts in Sullivan County passed their proposed budgets for the 2024-25 school year. The 2024-25 school budget and school board results are as follows. 

Eldred CSD

The Eldred Central School District proposed $19,815,851 budget was passed by voters, 138-44. The second proposition to pay the $38,000 tax levy to the Board of Trustees of the Sunshine Hall Free Library was also passed by a 149-34 vote. Stacy Kuhn earned 150 votes to win election to the Board of Education, which also had seven write-in ballots. 

Fallsburg CSD

Fallsburg Central School District voters passed the district’s proposed $63,443,785 budget for the 2024-25 school year, 218-129, which carries a 7.05 percent increase from the current year’s budget. It is the sixth year in a row in which their budget holds a tax levy at zero percent. 

There were also three seats on the BOE voted on. Via 231 write-in ballots, Nicole Franco ousted incumbent Sean Wall-Carty, who received 93 votes, from his seat. For the expired seat of Micheal Weiner, Jacqueline Williams beat out Rosalind Natale, 333-70, and for the open seat of Jennifer Reinhardt, Kirsten Jacobsen-Serrone defeated Carlos Retana, 321-55. 

“I would like to take a moment to say congratulations to our new board members and thank you to the Fallsburg school community for their support,” Superintendent Dr. Ivan Katz said. “I would also like to thank our outgoing board members for their commitment to the Fallsburg Central School District.”  

Liberty CSD

Liberty Central School District voters approved the district’s $68 million budget proposal, 987-69. The $68,034,294 budget keeps the tax levy the same as the current year and funds all current student programs and services. 

“We appreciate Liberty Central School District residents’ continued support and recognition of our efforts to give our students the education they need to pursue their potential and thrive in the future,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We are also glad we could do this without increasing the tax levy for the sixth year in a row.”

Three BOE members were also re-elected to three-year terms - Maureen Crescitelli with 605 votes, Peter Racette with 591 votes and Pamela Teed Fisk with 595. There were also three write-in candidates to receive more than 400 votes - Miriam Singer, Miriam Breuer and Miriam Heimlich. 

Livingston Manor CSD

Livingston Manor Central School District voters approved the district’s proposed $20 million budget for the 2024-25 school year, 201-74, and elected two school board members. The $20,252,120 budget includes a spending increase of $886,771, which is an increase of 4.58 percent compared to the current year. 

“The support for our residents is vital for us to continue to offer a quality education to our students,” said Superintendent John Evans. “We appreciate the voters’ continued support.”

The two board members to be elected to three-year terms were Chris Tuleweit with 173 votes and Edward Gorr with 149. Frank Adamse also received 91 votes and Elizabeth Williams received 80. There were also eight write-in ballots. 

The budget carries a tax levy of $9,771,185 which is an increase of 2.73 percent. A majority of the spending increase can be attributed to increases in contractual obligations, such as salaries, benefits, transportation and BOCES. 

Also included in the budget is a $100,000 capital outlay project to redesign and enhance the Family & Consumer Science classroom. The district will receive $68,800 in state aid in 2025-26 to offset the project’s costs. 

Monticello CSD

Monticello Central School District voters passed the district’s proposed $100,277,426 budget for the 2024-25 school year, 598-243, their capital project, 615-230 and elected three members to the Board of Education. 

The capital project includes the modernization of the district’s deteriorating athletic facilities as well as securing classroom entrances at the elementary schools and making any other necessary repairs at the buildings in the district.  

Tim Crumley with 539 votes and Todd Grodin with 507 votes were both re-elected to the board, while Meghan Stalter was elected with 553 votes. 

“On behalf of the Board of Education, we are extremely grateful for the voters’ support in approving our proposed budget and capital project,” Superintendent Dr. Matthew Evans said. “Congratulations to Tim Crumley and Todd Grodin on their re-elections, and Meghan Stalter on her election to the Board of Education.”

Roscoe CSD 

Voters in the Roscoe Central School District approved the district’s $10,979,350 budget by a vote of 214-94. The budget maintains current programming and also includes funding to restore shared athletics and retain employees currently in grant-funded positions that will sunset at the end of the school year. The budget carries a $6,028,058 tax levy which is an increase of 5.95 percent and is above the district’s calculated tax cap of 3.55 percent.

The district’s $1.7 million capital project was also approved by a 224-72 vote. The projects to be completed will be determined once bids are returned. Two board members were also re-elected to the Board of Education (BOE). Timothy Clark was re-elected with 229 votes and Daniel Johnston was re-elected with 252. There were also 23 write-in votes that did not impact the results. 

“We are very thankful for our voters’ support,” said Superintendent John Evans. “Without it, the BOE and district administration would have needed to make tough decisions on programs or staff positions to reduce or eliminate.”

Sullivan West CSD

Voters of the Sullivan West Central School District passed their proposed $42,006,025 budget, 312-81, following their nearly $2 million in state aid being restored after it was reduced in February. 

The proposed budget includes a 2.99 percent increase to the tax levy which is to ensure that Sullivan West builds solid educational experiences for their students. 

Also approved by the voters was the re-election of three members to the BOE - Brian Kitson with 293 votes, Katrina Chellis with 291 votes and Kristy Sigelakis with 286. 

“Thank you to everyone who supported and advocated for our school,” said Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Bressler. “Let’s continue to work together to provide the best education for our future leaders.”

Tri-Valley CSD

Voters of the Tri-Valley Central School District passed the district’s proposed $37,273,719 vote, 269-94. The budget represents a 2.13 increase from the current year’s budget

Incumbent Rose Wood was also re-elected to the board, while Nicole Burkey and Keri Poley were elected to the board, the three to win election out of five candidates on the ballot which also included Robert Vail Curry and Christopher Goodman. 

Superintendent Erin Long said, “Thank you to the Tri-Valley community for their continued support.”